Some parts of Maroondah have been recognised for their crucial role in preserving indigenous plant and animal species.
Biological Significance Level: State
Alto Reserve contains about 0.5 hectares of Valley Grassy Forest, an endangered vegetation type in the Gippsland Plain bioregion. The reserve supports several rare plant species and is an important ecological steppingstone, helping animals move between larger reserves nearby. A short walking path surrounds the remnant vegetation.
Appletree Hill Reserve contains 2.7 hectares of Swampy Woodland, an endangered vegetation type in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion. The reserve sits on the floodplain of Little Bungalook Creek and supports several locally rare plant species and a range of waterbirds, frogs and aquatic invertebrates. The remnant vegetation is not accessible to the public but can be viewed from outside the fence.
This site supports 0.8 hectares of Grassy Dry Forest and Grassy Forest vegetation on the Wicklow ridgeline. Vegetation includes several species which are locally endangered and provides an important stepping-stone for local animals between several larger reserves. The remnant vegetation is only accessible via steep paths and is fenced, but can be viewed from the outside.
Find out more about Baringa Flora Sanctuary.
The remnant vegetation on Glenvale Rd (also known as Barnsdale Forest) is approximately 1.4 hectares of mixed Grassy Forest and Creekline Herb-rich Woodland, whilst that on Oban Rd is around 0.4 hectares of Grassy Dry Forest. Both remnants support high quality vegetation, including species which are locally endangered, and is an important part of a wildlife corridor sometimes used by the rare Barking and Powerful Owls. A path runs through the Glenvale Rd vegetation, however residents are encouraged to avoid visiting the Oban Rd site due to its small size and consequent vulnerability of its vegetation to increased foot traffic.
Biological Significance Level: National
Bedford Reserve supports approximately 1.6 hectares of remnant Valley Heathy Forest vegetation, an endangered vegetation type in the Bioregion. Much of the vegetation is very high quality and several locally endangered plant species survive at the site. The vegetation also supports a range of birds, bats, possums and invertebrates, and is an important element of several wildlife corridors. Visitors are encouraged to view the vegetation at Bedford Park from outside to reduce the impact of foot traffic on vegetation.
Birts Hill Reserve supports 1.1 hectares of vegetation which grades between Valley Heathy Forest and Grassy forest. The reserve supports a number of locally endangered plant species, provides habitat for a range of lizards, bats, marsupials, birds and invertebrates, and is an important component of the Wicklow Ridgeline habitat corridor. Visitors are encouraged to keep to the perimeter path to reduce impacts on vegetation within the reserve.
B.J. Hubbard Reserve is one of Maroondah’s larger Bushland reserves, with over 6 hectares or remnant vegetation remaining. Most of this vegetation is Valley Heathy Forest, but a a small amount of Swampy Riparian Woodland borders the creek. Both vegetation types are Endangered in the Bioregion. The reserve supports many locally endangered plant species as well as a range of lizards, bats, marsupials, birds and invertebrates, and is an important component of the Loughies Loop habitat corridor. Visitors are encouraged to remain on paths provided to limit impacts on vegetation within the reserve.
Bungalook Conservation Reserve is one of the most biodiverse reserves in Maroondah, this 5 hectares of vegetation forms a major part of the larger group of Bungalook Conservation Reserves. The Council reserve is composed mainly of Valley Heathy Forest, with a small amount of Lowland Forest vegetation types. The reserve supports a large number of locally rare plant and animal species, and is particularly rich in birdlife. Visitors are strongly encouraged to keep to paths at all times, to keep dogs on leads at all times, and to dispose of dog droppings in a responsible manner.
Candlebark Walk Reserve supports almost 6 hectares of remnant vegetation, with a small portion in very good ecological condition. Vegetation types include Herb-rich Foothill forest, Valley Grassy Forest, Valley Heathy Forest and Swampy Riparian Complex, and the site also includes creeks and artificial wetlands of significant biological value. The reserve does support several locally endangered plant and bird species, as well as Echidna and other marsupials, lizards, frogs, native fish and a range of invertebrates. Visitors are encouraged to keep to paths, not to enter fenced areas, and to clean up after their dogs.
Originally donated to the public by the Cheong Family, the Cheong Wildflower Sanctuary supports 1.2 hectares of Valley Heathy Forest vegetation and a large range of locally very rare plant species. It provides habitat for a range of possums, lizards, birds and bats, as well as a range of invertebrates, and is an important component of the Wicklow Ridgeline and Belgrave Railway habitat corridors. To protect the vegetation, it is not accessible to the public, however the site can be viewed from the vegetation boundaries.
Centered around an old man-made wetland, the terrestrial vegetation of Connolly Reserve is one of the most nature-like examples of revegetation to be found locally. The site occupies around 4 hectares and is mostly covered with Swampy Woodland vegetation, though the wetland supports a range of locally rare water-plants brought in by waterbirds. The range of wetland plants has diminished since the millennium drought, and the site is threatened by additional drying caused by industrial development nearby. The site is accessible to the public via a walking path. Please stay on paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings in a responsible manner.
Most of this 2.9 hectare site was donated to the public by the Dexter family in 1988. Pine trees were removed from a large portion of the site around 1993, and this was followed by a wonderful flush of regeneration by native plant species. Unfortunately, modification of the nearby creek and the millennium drought caused extensive drying of the site and many of these species died out. The site supports three vegetation types, Valley Heathy Forest, Swampy Woodland and Herb-rich Foothill Forest. Unfortunately canopy loss across much of the site has caused other species to become over-abundant and along with continued drying threatens diversity of the understorey. Nevertheless, the site still supports a range of plant species found in few other sites in Maroondah, and is home to various frogs, lizards, bats, birds, marsupials and invertebrates. Please stay on paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings in a responsible manner.
Dublin Reserve supports 0.75 hectares of Valley Heathy Forest, an Endangered vegetation type in the Bioregion. Its biodiversity value has increase markedly since active conservation management began around 2000, and in recently years experimental techniques have further improved species diversity across the site. Several locally rare plant species occur naturally at the site. The site provides habitat for birds, bats, small marsupials and lizards and connects to the Mullum Mullum Creek habitat corridor. A path runs through the site, however vegetation is fenced to protect it from foot traffic. Please keep dogs on lead at all times within the reserve and dispose of their droppings in a responsible manner.
Eastfield Park supports 5.5 hectares of remnant vegetation from two vegetation types which are Endangered in the bioregion – Valley Heathy Forest and Swampy Woodland. Severe canopy decline across much of the site threatens understorey diversity, as does the presence of a soil-borne plant disease. Nevertheless, the site still supports several locally rare plant species as well as a range of animals and contributes significantly to conservation value of the Taralla Creek habitat corridor. Please keep to paths at all times, keep dogs on lead, and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
The remnant vegetation in F.J.C. Rogers Reserve is 0.6 hectares of Valley Heathy Forest, an Endangered vegetation type in the Bioregion. Despite its small size, the reserve supports a wide range of locally rare plant species, a range of birds, small mammals including Sugar-gliders, small lizards and invertebrates. It is a stepping-stone reserve for forest birds, but this value is threatened by the presence of the Noisy Miner, an extremely aggressive native honeyeater. Visitors are discouraged from walking within the vegetation as the Reserve’s small size makes it vulnerable to foot traffic. Vegetation can be viewed from the boundary fences. Dogs are not allowed within the reserve.
Grandfill Reserve includes approximately 1.2 hectares of remnant vegetation from the Grassy Forest vegetation type. Despite significant canopy dieback since 2010 this reserve continues to support diverse range of plant species, including several which are very rare in Maroondah. The reserve provides habitat for a range of small birds, mammals, lizards, bats and invertebrates, and is an important stepping stone reserve in the Wicklow Ridgeline habitat corridor. Please keep to paths when visiting the reserve, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
Maroondah Council manages 2.3 hectares of bushland for biodiversity conservation within HE Parker Reserve. The vegetation types present include Valley Heathy Forest, Swampy Woodland (both Endangered vegetation types in the bioregion) and Herb-rich Foothill Forest, as well as some artificial wetlands. Canopy decline over much of the site is having serious impacts on biodiversity, and the Bushland Team are fighting hard to reverse this trend. Despite this, the site provides important habitat for small birds, a range of mammals including Sugar Gliders, small lizards, bats and invertebrates. It is an important component of the Bungalook Creek habitat corridor. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their dropping responsibly.
About half a hectare of vegetation at Heathmont Reserve is managed for biodiversity conservation by Maroondah’s Bushland Team. This vegetation is all Valley Heathy Forest, an Endangered vegetation type in the Bioregion. The small size of this site, combined with significant canopy loss in recent years are impacting plant biodiversity at the site. Nevertheless, the site provides habitat for birds, bats, lizards and small mammals including Sugar Gliders. The site provides an important stepping-stone link between the Belgrave Railway and Dandenong Creek habitat corridors. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their dropping responsibly.
This small reserve, only 0.36 hectares, supports a nationally Endangered plant species and a diverse range of other taxa, many of which are rare in Maroondah. Vegetation at the site is from the Valley Heathy Forest vegetation type which is Endangered in the Bioregion. Despite significant canopy decline the site provides habitat for a range of liards, bats, birds, small mammals including Sugar Gliders and invertebrates. It will form an important stepping-stone between several planned habitat corridors and would contribute to the current corridor along Dandenong Creek. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their dropping responsibly.
3.6 hectares of Loughie’s Bushland are managed for biodiversity conservation. A variety of vegetation types are present including Grassy Dry Forest on the ridgetops, Valley Grassy Forest on the slopes and Creekline Herb-rich Woodland on the valley floor. A large number of plants which are Endangered in Maroondah persist on the site, at least one of which is unique to the reserve. Vegetation within the site provides habitat for a range of bird (including the Powerful Owl and the Endangered Barking Owl), mammal, lizard, bat and invertebrate species. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
This reserve was once part of the former Croydon High School. Since late 2019, the Bushland team has managed 0.75 hectares of Valley Heathy Forest vegetation (Endangered in the Bioregion) on the site. During that time, the quality of the vegetation has improved significantly, as has the diversity of vegetation across the site. Too small to completely sustain many animals by itself, the reserve provides habitat to birds, bats, lizards, small marsupials and invertebrates and is an important stepping-stone reserve in the Wicklow Ridgeline habitat corridor. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
The Bushland Team actively manages about 2.5 hectares of remnant vegetation within this reserve, most being Valley Heathy Forest, but also including a small amount of Swampy Riparian Complex, both Endangered vegetation types in the Bioregion. Vegetation in and around the dam is also managed by Bushland. The reserve supports a variety of locally rare plant species, and provides habitat for terrestrial and waterbirds, frogs, tortoises, lizards, and a range of small mammals including bats. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
Biological Significance Level: Local
This small reserve (0.4 hectares) supports a very diverse pocket of Grassy Dry Forest vegetation. Several locally rare plants persist within the reserve, which provides habitat for small birds, lizards, marsupials and invertebrates as a stepping-stone in the Wicklow Ridgeline wildlife corridor. Experimental techniques used at the site have successfully promoted recruitment from the soil seedbank and increased biodiversity in formerly low diversity areas. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
Biological Significance Level: Unknown
Abutting the Nationally significant Hochkins Ridge Flora and Fauna Reserve, are 2 hectares of remnant vegetation actively managed by the Bushland Team in Nangathan Way Reserve. The vegetation is from the Creekline Herb-rich Woodland and Herb-rich Foothill Forest vegetation types. Overabundant kangaroos as well as feral deer are having a significant detrimental impact on vegetation in both reserves. Despite this, the vegetation in Nangathan Way reserve provides significant habitat for native birds, lizards, frogs, marsupials, bats and invertebrates. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
Around 0.6 and 1.4 hectares of remnant native vegetation are managed by the Bushland Team to the north and south of Narr Maen Drive respectively. The vegetation is from the Swampy Riparian Complex and Valley Heathy Forest vegetation types, both endangered in the bioregion. Vegetation across the sites is slowly regenerating, and is being supplemented planting and direct seeding projects. The wetlands in the reserve are an important frog breeding area, and also provide habitat for waterbirds and aquatic insects, whilst the surrounding vegetation provides habitat for birds, bats, small mammals and invertebrates. The reserves are an important component of the proposed Northern Hills Biolink corridor. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
This tiny reserve boasts excellent floral diversity despite its size – just 0.39 hectares. Vegetation in the reserve is from the Valley Heathy Forest type, Endangered in the Bioregion. Significant dieback in older trees at the reserve has markedly reduced canopy cover at the site which is a major threat to its continued biodiversity. Vegetation at the site is not accessible to the public, however it can be viewed from the boundary fence.
Around half a hectare of remnant Valley Heathy Forest vegetation is managed for conservation in Proclamation Park. Despite its small size and history of mowing, the reserve is responding very well to management inputs. Several locally rare plant species thrive here, and the site also provides habitat for small birds, lizards, marsupials, bats and invertebrates. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
3.5 hectares of remnant native vegetation are managed for conservation at Ringwood Lake Park. Several locally rare plant species persist in the reserve, one of which occurs nowhere else in Maroondah. The site provides important habitat for many waterbirds, as well as small marsupials, lizards, bats and invertebrates. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
Biological Significance Level: Regional
There are 1.3 hectares of Grassy Dry Forest managed for conservation at Stringybark Rise Reserve. The reserve supports many plants which are rare elsewhere in Maroondah, but is being heavily impacted by herbivory. Selective feeding by feral deer and overabundant Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Black Wallaby have reduced much of the once diverse vegetation in the reserve to species which tolerate heavy herbivory or are unpalatable. Unless a solution can be found to this problem, floral diversity within the reserve will fall markedly over the coming years. There are no formal paths allowing entry to Stringybark Rise Reserve, and we would discourage residents and other visitors from visiting the site due to its fragile state and the potential for erosion foot traffic will engender.
Maroondah’s Bushland Team took over management of this reserve in 2022. In that time, an intensive effort has been made to stimulate regeneration of the Valley Grassy Forest vegetation it supports. There are several locally very rare species thriving at the site, despite its small size (currently 0.35 hectares). This and other small reserves within the Range estate function as ecological stepping-stones, linking vegetation in the planned Northern Hills and Wicklow Ridgeline biolink corridors. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
8.7 hectares of vegetation are managed for conservation in Warranwood Reserve. This vegetation includes Grassy Dry Forest, Herb-rich Foothill Forest, Valley Grassy Forest and Creekline Herb-rich Woodland vegetation types. The reserve also includes a series of artificial wetlands. Much of the vegetation within the reserve is quite diverse, and there are many species of locally rare plant amongst these. Powerful Owl are regular visitors, with Black Wallabies and Short-beaked Echidna resident, as well as many other small bird and animal species. Unfortunately, feral deer appear to be impacting aspects of the vegetation within the reserve, and are the focus of a study to determine their impact. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
Around 4.2 hectares of vegetation are managed for conservation by the Bushland Team in Warrien Reserve. Vegetation types include Valley Heathy Forest, Valley Grassy Forest, Swampy Riparian Woodland, Swampy Woodland and Swampy Riparian Complex. The reserve also includes a number of artificial wetlands. The highest plant diversity is found within the fenced area of the Wildflower Sanctuary. A large number of plant species which are rare locally have been found in Warrien Reserve, however changing conditions over the last two decades have led to the loss of several species. The reserve provides habitat for small birds, lizards and marsupials as well as bats, frogs and invertebrates. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
The Bushland team manage around 7.7 hectares of remnant vegetation in Wombolano Park. Vegetation on the site includes Herb-rich Foothill Forest and Valley Heathy Forest, and also includes an artificial wetland. Canopy loss across the site over the last two decades is seriously impacting understorey diversity, particularly in drier parts. Nevertheless, the site supports many plants which are rare elsewhere in Maroondah including a number of very large trees. The vegetation provides habitat for various marsupials, lizards, birds, frogs, bats and invertebrates, with occasional visits from Powerful Owls. To help protect biodiversity within the reserve, please keep to paths, keep dogs on lead at all times and dispose of their droppings responsibly.
For more information please email nature@maroondah.vic.gov.au.
There are 13 distinct habitat types within Maroondah.
Habitats and vegetation types in Maroondah
Biodiversity in Maroondah Volumes 1 & 2 (2020) provide an overview of Maroondah’s biodiversity, as well as an individual analysis of each site in Maroondah that meets the Victorian Government’s criteria for ‘sites of biological significance’.
Explore the findings
A number of environmental community groups are active in the Maroondah municipality. These groups are mostly volunteers who contribute many hours to preserve and maintain the local natural environment.
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