Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve celebrated its 50th birthday last week (11 November) with ACT Parks and Conservation Service’s staff and volunteers thanked for their wonderful work.
Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman thanked rangers, conservation officers and volunteers for making Tidbinbilla such a special place in the region.
“It is wonderful to celebrate 50 years of Tidbinbilla and to watch the reserve thrive after devastating bushfires and droughts in the past,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Rangers, Parks and Conservation staff and volunteers have done an incredible job caring for Tidbinbilla,” he said.
“The Ngunnawal people have a special relationship with Tidbinbilla and the rich Aboriginal history of the reserve dates back for centuries.”
Mr Gentleman said he was looking forward to celebrating many more years of Tidbinbilla and for future Canberrans to continue enjoying the beautiful nature reserve.
“Generations of Canberrans have visited and loved Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve,” he said.
“Every year, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve welcomes approximately 220,000 visitors, who come to experience its cultural and natural history, and I hope that number continues to grow.”
The Minister encouraged Canberrans to get out and explore Tidbinbilla, recommending two of his favourite sites: Birrigai Rock Shelter, which is one of the oldest inhabited rock shelters in the world; and the restored ruins of the historic Rock Valley Homestead.
“I also want to recognise the vital role of staff in continuing to protect native flora and fauna, and for their work on multiple breeding programs for endangered species,” he said.
“This includes the Northern Corroboree Frog, the Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby and the Grassland Earless Lizard,” Mr Gentleman said.
