THE Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is celebrating its birthday today, marking 80 years of providing a sanctuary for native species and a place for local residents to experience and explore nature.

“On this day in 1936 the Minister for the Interior set aside 2,000 acres (approximately 810 hectares) of Commonwealth land at the southern end of the Tidbinbilla valley to become a National Park and Fauna Reserve,” Mick Gentleman said.

“Part of the establishment of the reserve included what was called a ‘biological station’ to be housed in an existing farm homestead. These were the first steps to what would become the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and the wildlife sanctuary. Even 80 years ago many Australians saw the importance of preserving our native flora and fauna as more and more of the country was being used for farming, grazing and logging.

“The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is now 6466 hectares of land which plays an integral part in preserving the natural and cultural heritage of our region while also providing a fantastic location for recreation, tourism, education and research.

“Tidbinbilla is home to a wide range of Australian animals living in diverse sub-alpine habitats including wetlands, grasslands, wet and dry forests and woodlands. These different habitats in the reserve support a wide range of wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, platypus, potoroos, wallaroos, possums, wombats, echidnas, emus, lyrebirds as well as many other birds and reptiles.

“The Sanctuary at Tidbinbilla plays a vital role in wildlife management and protection, in particular the breeding programs for the endangered northern corroboree frog, the brush-tailed rock-wallaby and eastern bettong.

“Tidbinbilla also maintains some major sites relevant to our local history, with a number of significant Aboriginal sites and European homesteads dotted across the landscape including the Birrigai Rock Shelter, the magnificent granite tors at Hanging Rock, the restored ruins of historic Rock Valley Homestead and the Nil Desperandum homestead.

“With over 200,000 visitors annually, Tidbinbilla continues to play a significant role in recreation and tourism in the ACT. The reserve supports a number of outdoor activities, from a relaxing picnic to a hike through the majestic mountains,” Minister Gentleman concluded.

For more information on the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve visit tidbinbilla.act.gov.au , or alternatively to hire a campsite or homestead go to bookings.act.gov.au.