Case Study: Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve (NPWS)

FOKE has been actively involved in protecting Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve, a critical ecological asset in St Ives. FOKE campaigned for the public acquisition of privately owned land within the reserve’s vicinity to ensure its long-term conservation. FOKE campaigned for the public acquisition of privately owned land within the reserve’s vicinity to ensure its long-term conservation in the mid 2000s.

Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve spans 10 hectares and is one of the few remaining stands of Blue Gum High Forest, an endangered ecological community listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. This forest type, once covering an estimated 11,000 hectares in the Sydney region, now survives in only about 1% of its original extent. The reserve supports a diverse array of wildlife, including black-faced swamp wallabies, echidnas, sugar gliders, possums, grey-headed flying foxes, and bird species such as pardalotes, king parrots, and lorikeets. Its towering canopy and lush fern understorey create a vital habitat for these species.

The reserve is also culturally significant, forming part of the traditional lands of the Kuringgai people, whose hunting grounds extended from Sydney Harbour to Broken Bay. With an average annual rainfall of 1,400 millimeters, the area’s fertile bushland historically supported abundant wildlife, making it an important cultural and ecological site. The reserve’s preservation is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and honoring Indigenous heritage.

Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, with no specific access restrictions beyond standard park hours, as noted on the NPWS website (NSW National Parks). The reserve is accessible by public transport, including trains from Pymble Station and buses along Mona Vale Road, making it a popular destination for bushwalking and birdwatching. It is featured in Ku-ring-gai Council’s nature walks and the NPWS Discovery Program, which enhance its role as a community and educational resource.

Public access supports a range of activities, including:

Conservation: Community access enables volunteer participation in bush regeneration, which is critical for maintaining the reserve’s ecological integrity.

Recreation: The Browns Forest loop trail offers an easy walk suitable for families and birdwatchers, providing opportunities to engage with nature close to Sydney’s CBD.

Education: The reserve serves as a living classroom for learning about biodiversity, conservation, and Indigenous heritage.