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Coordinates: 34°58′03″S 138°41′45″E / 34.96750°S 138.69583°E / -34.96750; 138.69583
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{{Infobox Australian place
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = protected
| type = protected
| name = Cleland Conservation Park
| name = Cleland National Park
| state = sa
| state = sa
| iucn_category = II
| iucn_category = II
| iucn_ref = <ref name=CAPAD2016SASum>{{cite web|title= Terrestrial Protected Areas of South Australia (refer 'DETAIL' tab ) |url= http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/761994ab-42cc-4f24-952c-c21221861884/files/capad2016sa.xlsx |work=CAPAD 2016|publisher=Australian Government, Department of the Environment (DoE) |accessdate=21 February 2018 |date=2016}}</ref>
| iucn_ref = <ref name=CAPAD2016SASum>{{cite web|title= Terrestrial Protected Areas of South Australia (refer 'DETAIL' tab ) |url= http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/761994ab-42cc-4f24-952c-c21221861884/files/capad2016sa.xlsx |work=CAPAD 2016|publisher=Australian Government, Department of the Environment (DoE) |access-date=21 February 2018 |date=2016}}</ref>


| image = Cleland Wildlife park entrance.jpg
| image = Cleland Wildlife park entrance.jpg
| image_upright = 0.81
| image_upright = 0.81
| caption = Entrance to the park
| caption = Entrance to Cleland Wildlife Park
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|34|58|03|S|138|41|45|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|34|58|03|S|138|41|45|E|display=inline,title}}
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| nearest_town_or_city = Adelaide city centre
| nearest_town_or_city = Adelaide city centre
| area =11.25
| area =11.25
| area_footnotes = <ref name=ReserveList>{{cite web|title=Protected Areas Information System - reserve list (as of 16 July 2015)|url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/park_management/protected-areas-30june2015.pdf |publisher=Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR)|accessdate=3 August 2015|pages=}}</ref>
| area_footnotes = <ref name=ReserveList>{{cite web|title=Protected Areas Information System - reserve list (as of 16 July 2015)|url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/park_management/protected-areas-30june2015.pdf |publisher=Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR)|access-date=3 August 2015}}</ref>
| established = {{start date|1945|01|01|df=y}}
| established = {{start date|1945|01|01|df=y}}
| established_footnotes = <ref name=ReserveList/>
| established_footnotes = <ref name=ReserveList/>
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| visitation_year =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_footnotes =
| visitation_footnotes =
| managing_authorities = [[Department for Environment and Water (South Australia)|Department for Environment and Water]]
| managing_authorities =


| url = http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide_Hills/Cleland_Conservation_Park
| url = https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/cleland-national-park
}}
}}
[[File:Cleland-conservation-park.svg|thumb|right|Map of the park]]
[[File:Cleland-conservation-park.svg|thumb|right|Map of the park]]


'''Cleland Conservation Park''' is a [[protected area]] located in the [[Adelaide Hills]], [[South Australia]] about {{Convert|22|km}} south-east of the [[Adelaide city centre]].<ref name=DEWNR>{{cite web|title=Cleland Conservation Park |url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide_Hills/Cleland_Conservation_Park |publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|accessdate=18 November 2015}}</ref> Cleland Conservation Park conserves a significant area of natural bushland on the [[Adelaide Hills]] face and includes the internationally popular ''Cleland Wildlife Park'' and the popular [[tourist destination]]s of [[Mount Lofty]] summit and Waterfall Gully.<ref name=DEWNR/> It is maintained by the South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR).<ref name=DEWNR/>
'''Cleland National Park''', formerly '''Cleland Conservation Park''', is a [[protected area]] located in the [[Adelaide Hills]], [[South Australia]] about {{Convert|22|km}} south-east of the [[Adelaide city centre]]. It conserves a significant area of natural bushland on the [[Adelaide Hills]] face, including [[Mount Lofty Summit]] and [[Waterfall Gully]].


Formerly a [[conservation park (Australia)|conservation park]], Cleland was combined with the bordering [[Eurilla Conservation Park]] in November 2021 when it was upgraded to the status of [[national park]]. The area includes '''Cleland Wildlife Park''', a major tourist attraction, with the draft plan suggesting that the Wildlife Park will be a part of the new Cleland National Park, but this is open to public consultation until late January 2022.
The conservation park was named for Sir [[John Burton Cleland]] (1878-1971), a renowned naturalist, microbiologist, mycologist and ornithologist, and member of the [[Royal Society of South Australia]]. After a career in medicine and pathology, Cleland became keenly interested in wildlife conservation.<ref>R. V. Southcott, 'Cleland, Sir John Burton (1878–1971)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, [http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cleland-sir-john-burton-5679/text9595], published in hardcopy 1981, accessed online 18 April 2014.</ref>


The park is classified as an [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] [[IUCN protected area categories#Category II — National Park|Category II protected area]].
The conservation park occupies land in the gazetted suburbs of [[Cleland, South Australia|Cleland]], [[Crafers, South Australia|Crafers]] and [[Waterfall Gully, South Australia|Waterfall Gully]].<ref name=PLB>{{cite web|title=Search result for " Cleland (Suburb)" (Record no SA0040499) with the following layers selected - "Suburbs and Localities" and "Local Government Areas"|url=http://maps.sa.gov.au/plb/#|publisher=[[Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure]]|accessdate=15 April 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012010923/http://maps.sa.gov.au/plb/|archivedate=12 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Dromaius novaehollandiae -Cleland Wildlife Park, Australia-8a.jpg|thumb|People with [[emu]]s in the wildlife park]]
[[File:Kangaroo Land in Cleland Wildlife Park.jpg|thumb|[[Western grey kangaroo]]s in the wildlife park]]
[[File:CLELAND WILDLIFE PARK.jpg|thumb|Yellow-footed rock wallabies in the wildlife park]]
[[File:CLELAND WILDLIFE PK.jpg|thumb|[[Cape Barren goose]] in the wildlife park]]


==History==
The conservation park is classified as an [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] [[IUCN protected area categories#Category II — National Park|Category II protected area]].<ref name=CAPAD2016SASum/>
Cleland Conservation Park was established on 1 January 1945<ref name="legislation.sa.gov.au"/> and classified as Category II<ref name="iucn.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_quality/gpap_pacategories/gpap_pacategory2/ |title=Protected Areas Category II |access-date=2014-05-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407225919/http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_quality/gpap_pacategories/gpap_pacategory2/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 |publisher=iucn.org |df=dmy-all }}</ref> protected area in IUCN protected area management categories.<ref name="environment.gov.au">{{cite web |url=https://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/capad/2014 |title=CAPAD 2014 |publisher=environment.gov.au}}</ref><ref name="iucngpap">{{cite web|url=http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_biodiversity/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928164738/http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_biodiversity/ |archive-date=2015-09-28 |title=Priority Area 1: Protected areas .... conserving nature |publisher=iucn.org}}</ref> The primary objective for Category II is "to protect natural biodiversity along with its underlying ecological structure and supporting environmental processes, and to promote education and recreation".<ref name="iucn.org"/>


The conservation park was named for Sir [[John Burton Cleland]] (1878–1971), a renowned naturalist, microbiologist, mycologist and ornithologist, and member of the [[Royal Society of South Australia]]. After a career in medicine and pathology, Cleland became keenly interested in wildlife conservation.<ref>R. V. Southcott, 'Cleland, Sir John Burton (1878–1971)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, [http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cleland-sir-john-burton-5679/text9595], published in hardcopy 1981, accessed online 18 April 2014.</ref>
==Cleland Wildlife Park==
[[File:Dromaius novaehollandiae -Cleland Wildlife Park, Australia-8a.jpg|thumb|People with emus]]
[[File:Kangaroo Land in Cleland Wildlife Park.jpg|thumb|Western grey kangaroos in the park]]
The Wildlife Park is accessible by sealed road from both the [[South Eastern Freeway]] and [[Greenhill Road]], and on foot on a formed but steep track from [[Waterfall Gully]] or [[Mount Lofty]].<ref name="southaustraliantrails.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.southaustraliantrails.com/trails.asp?id=13811 |title=Cleland CP - Waterfall Gully To Mount Lofty Hike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016232730/http://www.southaustraliantrails.com/trails.asp?id=13811 |archive-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> A limited public bus service operates.<ref name="adelaidemetro.com.au">{{cite web |url=https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/clelandwildlife/plan-your-visit/opening-hours-and-getting-here |title=Opening hours & getting here |website=www.environment.sa.gov.au |publisher=Cleland Wildlife Park}}</ref> A fee is payable to enter the Wildlife Park (but not to the Conservation Park except for car parking at Mt Lofty summit).
Facilities include a souvenir shop, cafe and toilets. Many visitors pay to be photographed holding koalas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/clelandwildlife/cleland-experiences/koala-experiences |title=Koala experiences |publisher=Cleland Wildlife Park |website=www.environment.sa.gov.au}}</ref> Several other options are available to visitors, including an [[Australian Aborigine|Aboriginal]] guide on a Cultural Tour of the Yurridla Aboriginal Trail, which explains dreaming stories of [[dingo]]es, [[emu]]s, [[koala]]s, [[Yurrabilla]], the creation ancestor, and a nightwalk, uncovering the secrets of the bush.
Cleland Wildlife Park offers visitors an opportunity to walk through large enclosures and interact with Australian animals such as kangaroos, koalas and emus, and to see others including wombats, Dingo and many bird and reptile species.


In November 2017 a concept plan was announced by the [[Weatherill Ministry|Weatherill government]] to revamp the park, including a hotel and a cable car connection,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Read |first1=Charles |title=Hong Kong's LKF Group to lead AUD $150m transformation of Adelaide's Cleland Wildlife park |url=https://blooloop.com/news/cleland-wildlife-park-lkf-group/ |accessdate= 6 March 2019 |publisher=Blooloop |date=27 November 2017}}</ref> but the plan was described by critics as "pre-election glitter".<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-28/cleland-park-proposal-just-pre-election-giltter/9198680 Cleland Park proposal in Adelaide Hills is just 'pre-election glitter', former Democrat says] ''ABC News'', 28 November 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2018.</ref> The Weatherill government was not returned at the subsequent [[2018 South Australian state election|election in March 2018]].
In November 2017 a concept plan was announced by the [[Weatherill Ministry|Weatherill government]] to revamp the park, including a hotel and a cable car connection,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Read |first1=Charles |title=Hong Kong's LKF Group to lead AUD $150m transformation of Adelaide's Cleland Wildlife park |url=https://blooloop.com/news/cleland-wildlife-park-lkf-group/ |access-date= 6 March 2019 |publisher=Blooloop |date=27 November 2017}}</ref> but the plan was described by critics as "pre-election glitter".<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-28/cleland-park-proposal-just-pre-election-giltter/9198680 Cleland Park proposal in Adelaide Hills is just 'pre-election glitter', former Democrat says] ''ABC News'', 28 November 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2018.</ref> The Weatherill government was not returned at the subsequent [[2018 South Australian state election|election in March 2018]].


On 26 November 2021 Cleland Conservation Park was combined with [[Eurilla Conservation Park]], which was adjacent to it, and proclaimed a [[national park]].<ref name=cpc>{{cite web | title=SA now home to Australia's biggest national park | website=[[Premier of South Australia]] | first=David | last=Speirs | author-link=David Speirs | date=26 November 2021 | url=https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news/media-releases/news/south-australia-now-home-to-australias-biggest-national-park | access-date=20 December 2021 | archive-date=19 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219021011/https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news/media-releases/news/south-australia-now-home-to-australias-biggest-national-park | url-status=dead }} [[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]] Text may have been copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/ Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0 AU)] licence.</ref><ref name=gooch2021>{{cite web | last=Gooch | first=Declan | title=Australia's biggest national park declared in South Australia's far north|website= ABC News|publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=26 November 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-26/munga-thirri-simpson-desert-biggest-national-park-australia/100654714 | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref> The area includes the Cleland Wildlife Park precinct, with the draft plan suggesting that the Wildlife Park will be a part of the new Cleland National Park.<ref>{{cite web | title=Share your views on the future of Cleland National Park | website=[[Department for Environment and Water]] | date=25 October 2021 | url=https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/news-hub/news/articles/2021/10/Cleland-national-park-draft-management-plan | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref> The executive director of the [[National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia]] said that the decision was made of the collective conservation significance of both of the former conservation parks, with their ecologically significant flora and fauna. The draft management plan was developed in collaboration with technical specialists, Aboriginal representatives, park managers and other stakeholders, and is open to the public consultation for three months (25 October 2021 – 25 January 2022). The Wildlife Park requires different management from the rest of the park due to the number of visitors, needing to be managed as a commercial zone. The draft plan also includes possible tourist accommodation areas, on land currently within the Wildlife Park, but away from the animal enclosures.<ref name=birdjan2021>{{cite news| title= National Park status for Cleland| work=Adelaide East Herald| first=Tijana| last= Birdjan|date= 25 November 2021}}</ref>
==Protected Area and Biodiversity Conservation==
{{off topic|date=May 2017}}
There are seven major anthropogenic threats to biodiversity: [[habitat fragmentation]], destruction, degradation (including pollution), [[overexploitation]] of species for human consumption, disease increases, introduction of invasive species, and global climate change. These activities such as [[agricultural expansion]], reckless industrialisation and urbanisation, altered the ecosystems and distribution of species. Land use change has led to the degradation, fragmentation and destruction of habitats, therefore triggered the species movement and loss of biodiversity and species extinctions worldwide.<ref name="Primack, R 2010" />


==Location and description==
There is a need to conserve and restore what humans have changed in the ecosystem on both a large and small scale. According to IUCN, protected areas are areas of land or sea dedicated by law or traditions (governance regimes, scientific, traditional knowledge and community-based approaches) to implementation of protection of biodiversity.<ref name="iucngpap">{{cite web|url=http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_biodiversity/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928164738/http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_biodiversity/ |archive-date=2015-09-28 |title=Priority Area 1: Protected areas .... conserving nature |publisher=iucn.org}}</ref>
The park is located in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia about {{Convert|22|km}} south-east of the Adelaide city centre.<ref name=home>{{cite web | title=Cleland National Park | website=[[National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia]] | url=https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/cleland-national-park | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref> The conservation park occupies land in the gazetted suburbs of [[Cleland, South Australia|Cleland]], [[Crafers, South Australia|Crafers]] and [[Waterfall Gully, South Australia|Waterfall Gully]].<ref name=PLB>{{cite web|title=Search result for " Cleland (Suburb)" (Record no SA0040499) with the following layers selected - "Suburbs and Localities" and "Local Government Areas"|url=http://maps.sa.gov.au/plb/#|publisher=[[Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure]]|access-date=15 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012010923/http://maps.sa.gov.au/plb/|archive-date=12 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


By far the largest part of the park consists of bushland, mostly woodland with some open spaces where clearing has taken place.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hardy|first=Anne|title=The Nature of Cleland|edition=2nd|year=1989|publisher=South Australian Government - State Print - State Publishing}}</ref>
[[IUCN protected area management categories]] has classified the protected areas according to their management goals and objectives. These classifications are recognised by the United Nations and many national governments. IUCN protected area designations are: ''Ia) Strict Nature Reserve, Ib) Wilderness Area, II) National Park, III) Natural Monument or Feature, IV) Habitat/Species Management Area, V) Protected Landscape/Seascape, VI) Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources''.<ref name="iucngpap" />


There are a number of [[walking trail]]s, including the Waterfall Gully – Mount Lofty summit trail, a popular and fairly challenging ascent of the west side of Mount Lofty,<ref name="southaustraliantrails.com" /> and parts of the long distance [[Heysen Trail|Heysen]] and [[Yurrebilla Trail|Yurrebilla]] Trails, which run north–south along the higher ground in the east of the park.
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act) in South Australia provides the establishment and administration of reserves for conservation of wildlife in a natural environment, public benefit and pleasure and for other purposes.<ref name="legislation.sa.gov.au">{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/NATIONAL%20PARKS%20AND%20WILDLIFE%20ACT%201972/CURRENT/1972.56.AUTH.PDF|title=South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 |website=www.legislation.sa.gov.au}}</ref>


From December 2012, many trails in the park became shared-use, allowing mountain bikers to also make use of the trails.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ridemorebikes.com/mountain-biking-cleland-conservation-park/ |title=Mountain Biking in Cleland Conservation Park |publisher=ridemorebikes.com |date=January 2, 2013 |access-date=2018-01-13 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Cleland Conservation Park has established in 1st of Jan 1945 <ref name="legislation.sa.gov.au"/> and classified as Category II <ref name="iucn.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_quality/gpap_pacategories/gpap_pacategory2/ |title=Protected Areas Category II |accessdate=2014-05-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407225919/http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_quality/gpap_pacategories/gpap_pacategory2/ |archivedate=7 April 2014 |publisher=iucn.org |df=dmy-all }}</ref> protected area in IUCN protected area management categories.<ref name="environment.gov.au">{{cite web |url=https://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/capad/2014 |title=CAPAD 2014 |publisher=environment.gov.au}}</ref><ref name="iucngpap" /> Primary objective for Category II is "to protect natural biodiversity along with its underlying ecological structure and supporting environmental processes, and to promote education and recreation."<ref name="iucn.org"/>


==Legislation and management==
The current categories and order of the schedules were last reviewed in 2008 and under the NPW Act are:<ref name="environment.gov.au"/>
All the reserves and parks in South Australia are proclaimed under the ''[[National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972]]'' (NPW Act) and the ''Wilderness Protection Act 1992'' (the WP Act). Conservation of reserves are committed to the Minister under the ''Crown Land Management Act 2009''.<ref>{{cite web | title=Park management | website=Department for Environment and Water | url=https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/park-management | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref> The NPW Act provides for the establishment and administration of reserves for conservation of wildlife in a natural environment, public benefit and pleasure and for other purposes.<ref name="legislation.sa.gov.au">{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/NATIONAL%20PARKS%20AND%20WILDLIFE%20ACT%201972/CURRENT/1972.56.AUTH.PDF|title=South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 |website=www.legislation.sa.gov.au}}</ref>


The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, which replaced the Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges (AMLR) in November 2020, is responsible for managing the natural assets of [[Adelaide Hills]] and [[Fleurieu Peninsula]] regions.<ref name="NRM Regions Australia – NRM Regions Australia is the national collaborative group for Australia’s 56 regional NRM organisations.">{{cite web | title=Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board – NRM Regions Australia | website=NRM Regions Australia – NRM Regions Australia is the national collaborative group for Australia’s 56 regional NRM organisations. | url=https://nrmregionsaustralia.com.au/hills-fleurieu-lb/ | access-date=19 December 2021}}</ref>
''Schedule 7: Endangered species (also including critically endangered and extinct species)''


Cleland was formerly maintained by the South Australian [[Department for Environment & Water]], and before that its predecessor, the Department for Water & Natural Resources.<ref name=DEWNR>{{cite web |title=Cleland Conservation Park |url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide_Hills/Cleland_Conservation_Park |publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |access-date=18 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115040028/http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide_Hills/Cleland_Conservation_Park }} This url now redicts to the National Parks web page for the new national park.</ref>
''Schedule 8: Vulnerable species''


==Cleland Wildlife Park==
''Schedule 9: Rare species''<ref>The “Rare category” described here, have been created to be utilized in South Australia and it is consistence with 'Near threatened' category in current IUCN definitions (include species with naturally limited existence and decreasing in number</ref>


Cleland Wildlife Park is managed separately from the national park,<ref name=birdjan2021/> as a major tourist destination since 1967<ref name=cwpapproach>{{cite web | title=Our approach | website=Cleland Wildlife Park | url= https://www.clelandwildlifepark.sa.gov.au/about-cleland/our-approach | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref> and {{as of|lc=yes|2021}} attracting around 100,000 tourists every year.<ref name=birdjan2021/> It is a member of the South Australian Tourism Hall of Fame, having won the "Significant Tourism Attraction" category in 2007, 2008 and 2009 at the South Australian Tourism Awards,<ref name=cwpapproach/> and in 2021 won the Silver Award for South Australia's best tourist attraction.<ref name=cwphome>{{cite web | title=Home | website=Cleland Wildlife Park | date=24 May 2021 | url=https://www.clelandwildlifepark.sa.gov.au/ | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref>
==Conservation Prioritization and Management Plans==
{{off topic|date=May 2017}}
Identifying priorities for conservation is the first requirement within a protected area. An effective conservation action requires detailed information about the ecosystem, species and their distribution, as well as the distribution of any {{Not a typo|threat(s)}} that may affect them. Conservation planners should address three questions: “What needs to be protected?”, “Where should it be protected?” and “How should it be protected?” <ref name="Primack, R 2010">{{cite book|last=Primack|first=Richard B.|title=Essentials of Conservation Biology|url=http://www.sinauer.com/media/wysiwyg/tocs/EssentialsConservationBiology5.pdf|year=2010|publisher=Sinauer Associates|location=Sunderland, Massachusetts U.S.A.|isbn=978-0-87893-640-3}}</ref>
All the reserves and parks in South Australia are proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act) and the Wilderness Protection Act 1992 (the WP Act). Conservation of reserves are committed to the Minister under the Crown Land Management Act 2009 (CL Act).<ref name="environment.sa.gov.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/Park_management/Management_plans|title=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|website=www.environment.sa.gov.au}}</ref>


The park allows visitors to get close to the native animals in their natural environment,<ref name=cwpapproach/> and offers a number of experiences such as being photographed while holding a [[koala]], interacting with [[reptile]]s every day of the week, observing and listening to the keepers at feeding times, meeting an [[short-beaked echidna]], various guided day and night walks and children's experiences.<ref>{{cite web | title=Cleland experiences | website=Cleland Wildlife Park | date=17 November 2014 | url=https://www.clelandwildlifepark.sa.gov.au/cleland-experiences | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref> Wandering around the enclosures, some of the animals are able to be patted, such as the [[kangaroo]]s ([[red kangaroo|red]] and [[western grey kangaroo|western grey]]) and [[swamp wallaby|swamp wallabies]]. Other animals at the park include [[Tasmanian devil]]s, [[southern hairy-nosed wombat]]s, [[western pygmy possum]]s, [[bilby|bilbies]], [[yellow-footed rock wallaby|yellow-footed rock wallabies]], [[dingo]]es and many native birds, and reptiles including snakes and goannas.<ref>{{cite web | title=What animals will I see? | website=Cleland Wildlife Park | url=https://www.clelandwildlifepark.sa.gov.au/plan-your-visit/discover-cleland/what-animals-will-i-see | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref>
A management plan is the utmost important foundation for the direction of managing the reserve. The requirements for the preparation of management plans are outlined in the NPW and WP Acts and need to be prepared soon after the constitution of a reserve. The management plan should identify the vision for the reserve in addition to the strategies and objectives to meet that vision over a 10-year period. Every year, park managers outline the work programs that are aligned with the proposed strategies in the original management plan.<ref name="environment.sa.gov.au"/>


It is accessible by sealed road from both the [[South Eastern Freeway]] and [[Greenhill Road]], and on foot on a formed but steep track from [[Waterfall Gully]] or [[Mount Lofty]].<ref name="southaustraliantrails.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.southaustraliantrails.com/trails.asp?id=13811 |title=Cleland CP - Waterfall Gully To Mount Lofty Hike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016232730/http://www.southaustraliantrails.com/trails.asp?id=13811 |archive-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> A limited public bus service operates.<ref name="adelaidemetro.com.au">{{cite web |url=https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/clelandwildlife/plan-your-visit/opening-hours-and-getting-here |title=Opening hours & getting here |website=www.environment.sa.gov.au |publisher=Cleland Wildlife Park}}</ref>
Protecting and managing endangered or rare species requires a firm grip of their natural history (their ecology and distinctive characteristics). These essential information are: the species’ morphology, physiology, demography, behaviour, distribution, genetics, environment, biotic interactions as well as interactions with people. The information can be achieved by studying published or unpublished literature and field work. Field work is crucial since only a small percentage of the world's species have been studied. The data in field work is collected by using long term monitoring, surveying, censuses and demographic studies which can determine the historical change of the population size. This enables the managers to distinguish short term fluctuations from the long term decline of population size.<ref name="Primack, R 2010"/>
Natural Resources Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges (AMLR) are following four main strategies to conserve the biodiversity of the region:

''I) Maintain intact (viable) landscapes, II) reverse declines, III) control emerging threats, IV) recover threatened species and ecological communities''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/plants-and-animals/native-plants-animals-and-biodiversity/biodiversity-conservation-strategies|title=Biodiversity conservation strategies|first=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|last=(DEWNR)|website=www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au}}</ref>

==Biodiversity Threatening Processes in Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges (AMLR)==
{{off topic|date=May 2017}}
Threatening processes are practices or environmental factors that could threaten the survival or evolutionary development of species, populations, ecosystems and/or ecological communities. There are direct (legal and illegal ) threats impacting biodiversity in AMLR including historical vegetation clearances, the use of biological resources, climate change (causing drought and severe weather), the introduction of exotic species and poisoning practices. There are also threats associated with roads and transportation which cause wild life mortality. These have damaged the habitats, functioning of ecosystems, availability of food and the overall food web. According to Informing Biodiversity Conservation for the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region, South Australian ecological stresses are:<ref>Department of Environment and Heritage (2010). "Informing Biodiversity Conservation for the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region South Australia: Priorities, Strategies and Targets"</ref>

# Habitat fragmentation
# Edge effects, spatial and temporal provision of resources
# Ecosystem conversion, habitat loss and modification
# Fragmentation of existing habitat (isolation of populations)
# Barriers to dispersal
# Reduced reproduction/ recruitment
# Distance effects (isolation)
# Species mortality
# Road mortality
# Species disturbance
# Indirect species effects (e.g. inbreeding, increased competition and loss of pollinator or host)
# Ecosystem degradation
# Altered fire regimes
# Altered hydro logical regimes.
Fire is an ecological stresses that threat to biodiversity while is a valuable management tool as well.<ref>"more detailed descriptions of threats can be found in the AMLR Regional NRM Plan, and the Regional Recovery Plan for Threatened Species & Ecological Communities of Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges 2009-2014."</ref>

==Native Plants and Animals Biodiversity in Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges==
{{off topic|date=May 2017}}
The Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges (AMLR) region is home to a range of native plants and animals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/plants-and-animals/native-plants-animals-and-biodiversity/native-animals|title=Native animals|first=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|last=(DEWNR)|website=www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au}}</ref>

'''Native Plants'''

Around 1,500 species of native plants including orchids, ferns, gum trees, herbs, lilies, grasses and rushes, originate within AMLR. Amongst those, 121 are nationally threatened while seven are considered to be threatened in the region. The two endangered plant species in the region are Fleurieu Peninsula Guinea-flower (Hibbertia tenuis) and Mount Compass oak-bush (Allocasuarina robusta).

'''Native Animals'''

There are a great number of different native animals in the AMLR region, however some of these species have already become extinct and many are endangered. These threatened and endangered animals include birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs and freshwater fish. The details are given below.

'''''Birds'''''

The AMLR region comprises 249 species of birds, 69 of which are considered threatened. The three species that are considered Endangered are: the [[Chestnut-rumped heathwren]] (Hylacola pyrrhopygia parkeri), the Mt Lofty Ranges Southern emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus intermedius) and the Orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster).

'''''Mammals'''''

The AMLR region comprises 27 species of native mammals, including an echidna, an antechinus, dunnart species, a bandicoot, possums, wombat, kangaroos, rats and bats. Seven species are considered threatened in a state or national level. The [[Southern brown bandicoot]] (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) and [[Western pygmy possum]] (Cercartetus concinnus) are considered vulnerable, while the [[Brush-tailed Bettong]] (Bettongia penicillata penicillata) has been listed as endangered.

'''''Reptiles'''''

The AMLR region comprises 68 species of native reptiles, including turtles, lizards, tortoises, geckos, legless lizards, skinks, snakes and goanna species. Six of the species are considered threatened, and the [[Heath goanna]] (Varanus rosenbergi) and [[Adelaide pygmy blue-tongue skink]] (Tiliqua adelaidensis) are listed as endangered.

'''''Frogs'''''

The AMLR region comprises 7 native frog species. The Brown Toadlet (Pseudophryne bibronii) is rare in South Australia and considered vulnerable in the region.

'''''Freshwater fish'''

The AMLR region comprises 20 native freshwater fish, including catfish, galaxiids, lampreys and eels. Three of these species are considered threatened nationally while Climbing Galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis), Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii), Mountain Galaxias (Galaxias olidus) and Pouched Lamprey (Geotria australis) are considered Vulnerable in the region.

==Long-term Monitoring of Species and Ecosystem==
{{off topic|date=May 2017}}
Protection of species or individual populations is usually achievable via conservation and restoration of habitats. To do so, collecting essential data on biological communities and ecosystem function are important. Therefore, long term monitoring of populations needs to be accompanied by monitoring of the environment parameters. To determine the health of ecosystem, observation of the ecosystem processes such as temperature, rainfall, humidity and soil erosion, is necessary. Monitoring the community characteristics such as the present species and amount of biomass, are also other parameters in a healthy ecosystem. By monitoring the studies of these parameters, it enables managers to decide whether or not the goals of their projects are being achieved or if management plans need to be adjusted.<ref name="Primack, R 2010"/>

According to Primack (2010), there are “lagging” effects on the environment that may not surface for years after the original causes. This “lagging” creates a huge challenge towards understanding the changing of ecosystems. Hence, long term monitoring programs provide an early warning for threats to the functioning of ecosystems and communities of species.<ref name="Primack, R 2010"/> Examples as mentioned below, can address the conservation/knowledge gaps and help to refine the management priorities:

'''Changing in conservation status, an alarm towards becoming extinct'''

The [[Adelaide pygmy blue-tongue skink]] (Tiliqua adelaidensis) had been classified [[extinct]] until its rediscovery near Burra in South Australia in 1992.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Milne | first1 = T. | last2 = Bull | first2 = C. | year = 2000 | title = Burrow choice by individuals of different sizes in the endangered [[Adelaide pygmy blue-tongue skink]] Tiliqua adelaidensis | doi = 10.1016/s0006-3207(00)00040-9 | journal = Biological Conservation | volume = 95 | issue = 3| pages = 295–301 }}</ref> It is classified as [[Endangered]] in South Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/plants-and-animals/native-plants-animals-and-biodiversity/native-animals/reptiles|title=Reptiles|first=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|last=(DEWNR)|website=www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au}}</ref> Another example [[Chestnut-rumped heathwren]] status has changed from [[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] in 2008,<ref name="naturalresources.sa.gov.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/plants_and_animals/threatened_species/pa-fact-chestnutrumpedheathwrenmountloftyranges.pdf |website=naturalresources.sa.gov.au |title=Threatened Species Profile - Chestnut-rumped Heathwren}}</ref> to [[Endangered]] in 2016.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/plants-and-animals/native-plants-animals-and-biodiversity/native-animals/birds|title=Birds|first=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|last=(DEWNR)|website=www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au}}</ref> Also, [[Western Pygmy Possum]] were listed as Vulnerable in AMRL in 2008<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/plants_and_animals/threatened_species/pa-fact-westernpygmypossum.pdf |website=naturalresources.sa.gov.au |title=Threatened Species Profile - Western Pygmy-possum}}</ref> and became Critically Endangered in the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Region in Sep 2015.<ref name="threatenedDC">{{cite web |url=https://www.discoverycircle.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Cleland-threatened-species-checklist.pdf |title=Threatened Species at Cleland Wildlife Park |publisher=Discovery Circle |date=2015-09-05 |access-date=13 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401113429/https://www.discoverycircle.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Cleland-threatened-species-checklist.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''Different emerging threats and species response'''

In 2008 wildfire was counted as the primary potential threat to [[Chestnut-rumped heathwren]] while deliberate burning, residential development (habitat has been cleared/fragmented) and dieback due to Phytophthora, were the secondary threats.<ref name="naturalresources.sa.gov.au"/> However, high threats in 2010 recorded as drought, climate change and roadside accidents (due to inappropriate access and works).<ref name="ReferenceB"/>

The [[Southern brown bandicoot]]'s (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) decline in 2008 was due to some threats like loss or degradation of woodland habitat (exposed habitats as the result of kangaroos overgrazing), broad scale removal of habitats, predation (from introduced species like foxes and feral cats) and fire. In contrast, the decline of bandicoots in 2010 was due to climate change and drought, weed invasion (predominantly woody weeds) and dieback (particularly Phytophthora cinnamomi). These threats in addition to some other threats (nutrient input, altered hydrological regimes and fire regimes) have degraded the health of the forests and hence bandicoot habitats in general.<ref>Informing Biodiversity Conservation for the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region, South Australia. (2010) (1st ed.).
</ref>

'''"Lagging time" needs to be considered for predictions and future projects planning'''

Harris, in one of his work that published in 2009, mentioned [[Western pygmy possum]] (Cercartetus concinnus) as "Least concern, Lower risk" in IUCN list. At the time of his work, the species was not recognized to be endangered in the national or state level in Victoria, Western Australia or South Australia. However, at the same time, New South Wales listed this species as endangered since their distribution was threatened by massive vegetation clearing, the reduction of food sources (by overgrazing of livestock), fire regimes and introduced predators (like red fox and domestic cats) and some native Australian carnivores such as quolls, snakes and owls.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Harris | first1 = J | year = 2009 | title = Cercartetus concinnus (Diprotodontia: Burramyidae) | doi = 10.1644/831.1 | journal = Mammalian Species | volume = 831 | issue = | pages = 1–11 | doi-access = free }}</ref>
While the [[Western pygmy possum]]'s conservation status remained [[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] in AMRL in 2008 <ref name="ReferenceC"/> and 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/plants-and-animals/native-plants-animals-and-biodiversity/native-animals/mammals|title=Mammals|first=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|last=(DEWNR)|website=www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au}}</ref> its latest status is [[Critically Endangered]] in the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Region in 2015. This could indicate some knowledge gaps about this particular species' responses.<ref name="threatenedDC" />

'''Threatened species and ecological communities response'''
During Ash Wednesday bushfires in the South East in Feb 1983, many areas were severely burnt (including Scrub, Whennan's, Mount McIntyre, Yeate's, Millicent Golf Course, Mount Burr Mill Drop, East McRostie's, West McRostie's, Brooksby Road and Hackett Hill), [[Southern brown bandicoot]]s inhabited those areas again (except Yeate's) by as early as April 1990. The study suggested that during the Ashe Wednesday bushfires, bandicoots moved through the extensive pine plantations and migrated to native vegetation in the neighbourhood. They found dispersal corridors along the edge of the fire by using the dense ground cover. However, in Cleland and the Mt Lofty Ranges, Paull stated that “It is not known whether bandicoots survived the fires within these patches in refugal areas or whether they recolonised from neighbouring unburnt patches.”<ref name="Paull, D. 1995">{{cite journal|last1=Paull|first1= D|title=The distribution of the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) in South Australia|journal=Wildlife Research|volume=22|issue=5|year=1995|pages=585|issn=1035-3712|doi=10.1071/WR9950585}}</ref>

'''The importance of habitat quality as well as degradation/fragmentation and destruction'''

The study by Paull (1995) suggested that the response of the [[Southern brown bandicoot]] to fire (controlled burns and uncontrolled bushfires) needed to be evaluated. In his article, Paull indicated that bandicoots preferred habitats that regenerated into patchy mosaics of scrub as they were less likely to be effected by bushfires. Further studies by him confirmed that bandicoots were vulnerable because of habitat fragmentation (an outcome of extensive historical vegetation clearance) and predation by feral carnivores in the South East and Mount Lofty Ranges.<ref name="Paull, D. 1995"/>

Also, the Mount Lofty Ranges’ [[Chestnut-rumped heathwren]] are endangered nationally and in SA according to the IUCN Red List since it has a small population and distribution which is continuing to decline further. This bird is threatened by habitat fragmentation caused by extensive land clearance through the region, residential development, invasion by woody weeds and feral predators.<ref name="dx.doi.org">{{cite journal | last1 = Joseph | first1 = L. | last2 = Field | first2 = S. | last3 = Wilcox | first3 = C. | last4 = Possingham | first4 = H. | year = 2006 | title = Presence-Absence versus Abundance Data for Monitoring Threatened Species | doi = 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00529.x | journal = Conservation Biology | volume = 20 | issue = 6| pages = 1679–1687 | pmid = 17181803 }}</ref>

On the habitat quality subject for the [[Adelaide pygmy blue-tongue skink]] (Tiliqua adelaidensis), it has been observed that when artificial burrows were offered in the field to lizards, all lizards preferred vertical burrows over angled burrows, while juvenile lizards preferred shallower burrows than did adult lizards. Observation of 36 artificial burrows showed a significant increase in lizard numbers, during 2001-02 and over three surveys. The same study suggested that this local increase in population could be due to lizards locating appropriate burrows much more easily. The overall success could be appreciated as a tool for conservation management of this endangered species.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Milne | first1 = T. | last2 = Michael Bull | first2 = C. | last3 = Hutchinson | first3 = M. | year = 2003 | title = Fitness of the Endangered Pygmy Blue Tongue Lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis in Artificial Burrows | doi = 10.1670/38-03n | journal = Journal of Herpetology | volume = 37 | issue = 4| pages = 762–765 | s2cid = 85771795 }}</ref> Another study compared the fitness of female pygmy blue-tongue lizards in natural burrows and artificial ones, over a 3-year period. The study showed that the females in the artificial burrows had better body conditions and produced larger offspring with better body conditions also.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Souter | first1 = N. | last2 = Bull | first2 = C.M. | last3 = Hutchinson | first3 = M.N. | year = 2004 | title = Adding burrows to enhance a population of the endangered pygmy blue tongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis | doi = 10.1016/s0006-3207(03)00232-5 | journal = Biological Conservation | volume = 116 | issue = 3| pages = 403–408 }}</ref>

'''Cost effective monitoring'''

Operations of projects are determined by district and regional priorities and resource availability such as funding and staffing. A study on [[Chestnut-rumped heathwren]] showed that to predict the risk of extinction precisely, assessment of the trends of population size and distribution are required. Therefore, choosing the most cost-effective monitoring techniques for species with low density and visibility are key factors for managers. Although effective detection of population trends is essential for managing species under threat, the main factor is the amount of money available for the monitoring technique.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/>

==Mount Lofty summit==
{{see also|Mount Lofty}}
This popular tourist destination is {{Convert|727|m}} above sea level. It provides sweeping vistas across the Adelaide Plains and Gulf St Vincent. Flinders Column, a white painted obelisk shaped like a lighthouse, is a landmark which can be seen from far away on a clear day.

Car parking facilities are provided: charges are payable. Public bus route 823 serves the summit with three journeys a day (including weekends and most holidays).<ref name="adelaidemetro.com.au"/> Other facilities include an information centre/ souvenir shop, a cafe/restaurant (closed Mondays) and public toilets.

==Waterfall Gully==
{{see also|Waterfall Gully}}
[[File:CLELAND WILDLIFE PARK.jpg|thumb|Yellow-footed rock wallabies in the park]]
[[File:CLELAND WILDLIFE PK.jpg|thumb|[[Cape Barren goose]]]]
Waterfall Gully, another popular part of the park, is located on its western edge. It can be accessed via the sealed Waterfall Gully Road. A limited amount of free car parking is provided. There is no scheduled public transport service. Other facilities include a kiosk/restaurant and public toilets.

The main attraction is a waterfall, the largest of several in the park. The base is a short walk from the car park and the top can be reached by a formed but steep footpath, which continues to Cleland Wildlife Park and Mount Lofty summit.<ref name="southaustraliantrails.com" />

==Other==
By far the largest part of the park consists of bushland, mostly woodland with some open spaces where clearing has taken place.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hardy|first=Anne|title=The Nature of Cleland|edition=2nd|year=1989|publisher=South Australian Government - State Print - State Publishing}}</ref>


==Other locations==
There are a number of walking trails, including the Waterfall Gully - Mount Lofty summit trail which is a popular and reasonably challenging ascent of the west side of Mount Lofty,<ref name="southaustraliantrails.com" /> and parts of the long distance [[Heysen Trail|Heysen]] and [[Yurrebilla Trail|Yurrebilla]] Trails, which run north–south along the higher ground in the east of the park.
===Mount Lofty summit===
{{Further|Mount Lofty}}
[[Mount Lofty]] summit is {{Convert|727|m}} above sea level. It provides sweeping vistas across the Adelaide Plains and [[Gulf St Vincent]]. Flinders Column, a white painted [[obelisk]] shaped like a lighthouse, is a landmark which can be seen from far away on a clear day. Car parking facilities are provided: charges are payable. Public bus route 823 serves the summit with three journeys a day (including weekends and most holidays).<ref name="adelaidemetro.com.au"/> Other facilities include an information centre/ souvenir shop, a cafe/restaurant (closed Mondays) and public toilets.


===Waterfall Gully===
As of 22 December 2012, many trails in the park became shared-use, allowing mountain bikers to also make use of the trails.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ridemorebikes.com/mountain-biking-cleland-conservation-park/ |title=Mountain Biking in Cleland Conservation Park |publisher=ridemorebikes.com |date=January 2, 2013 |accessdate=2018-01-13 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
{{further|Waterfall Gully}}
Waterfall Gully, another popular part of the park, is located on its western edge. It can be accessed via the sealed Waterfall Gully Road. The main attraction is a waterfall, the largest of several in the park. The base is a short walk from the car park and the top can be reached by a formed but steep footpath, which continues to Cleland Wildlife Park and Mount Lofty summit.<ref name="southaustraliantrails.com" />


==See also==
==See also==
Line 204: Line 93:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide_Hills/Cleland_Conservation_Park Cleland Conservation Park official webpage]
*{{official|https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/cleland-national-park|Cleland National Park}}
*[http://www.protectedplanet.net/24317 Cleland Conservation Park webpage on protected planet]
*{{official|https://www.clelandwildlifepark.sa.gov.au/|Cleland Wildlife Park}}
*[https://www.protectedplanet.net/24317 Protected Planet]


{{Commons category-inline|Cleland Wildlife Park}}
{{Commons category-inline|Cleland Wildlife Park}}
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[[Category:Protected areas in Adelaide]]
[[Category:Protected areas in Adelaide]]
[[Category:Conservation parks of South Australia]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of Australia]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of Australia]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1945]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1945]]
[[Category:Wildlife parks in Australia]]
[[Category:Wildlife parks in Australia]]
[[Category:2021 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2021]]
[[Category:National parks of South Australia]]

Latest revision as of 12:25, 30 April 2024

This article is about protected area in South Australia. For the associated suburb, see Cleland, South Australia.

Cleland National Park
South Australia
Entrance to Cleland Wildlife Park
Cleland National Park is located in South Australia
Cleland National Park
Cleland National Park
Nearest town or cityAdelaide city centre
Coordinates34°58′03″S 138°41′45″E / 34.96750°S 138.69583°E / -34.96750; 138.69583
Established1 January 1945 (1945-01-01)[2]
Area11.25 km2 (4.3 sq mi)[2]
WebsiteCleland National Park
See alsoProtected areas of South Australia
Map of the park

Cleland National Park, formerly Cleland Conservation Park, is a protected area located in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia about 22 kilometres (14 mi) south-east of the Adelaide city centre. It conserves a significant area of natural bushland on the Adelaide Hills face, including Mount Lofty Summit and Waterfall Gully.

Formerly a conservation park, Cleland was combined with the bordering Eurilla Conservation Park in November 2021 when it was upgraded to the status of national park. The area includes Cleland Wildlife Park, a major tourist attraction, with the draft plan suggesting that the Wildlife Park will be a part of the new Cleland National Park, but this is open to public consultation until late January 2022.

The park is classified as an IUCN Category II protected area.

People with emus in the wildlife park
Western grey kangaroos in the wildlife park
Yellow-footed rock wallabies in the wildlife park
Cape Barren goose in the wildlife park

History

[edit]

Cleland Conservation Park was established on 1 January 1945[3] and classified as Category II[4] protected area in IUCN protected area management categories.[5][6] The primary objective for Category II is "to protect natural biodiversity along with its underlying ecological structure and supporting environmental processes, and to promote education and recreation".[4]

The conservation park was named for Sir John Burton Cleland (1878–1971), a renowned naturalist, microbiologist, mycologist and ornithologist, and member of the Royal Society of South Australia. After a career in medicine and pathology, Cleland became keenly interested in wildlife conservation.[7]

In November 2017 a concept plan was announced by the Weatherill government to revamp the park, including a hotel and a cable car connection,[8] but the plan was described by critics as "pre-election glitter".[9] The Weatherill government was not returned at the subsequent election in March 2018.

On 26 November 2021 Cleland Conservation Park was combined with Eurilla Conservation Park, which was adjacent to it, and proclaimed a national park.[10][11] The area includes the Cleland Wildlife Park precinct, with the draft plan suggesting that the Wildlife Park will be a part of the new Cleland National Park.[12] The executive director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia said that the decision was made of the collective conservation significance of both of the former conservation parks, with their ecologically significant flora and fauna. The draft management plan was developed in collaboration with technical specialists, Aboriginal representatives, park managers and other stakeholders, and is open to the public consultation for three months (25 October 2021 – 25 January 2022). The Wildlife Park requires different management from the rest of the park due to the number of visitors, needing to be managed as a commercial zone. The draft plan also includes possible tourist accommodation areas, on land currently within the Wildlife Park, but away from the animal enclosures.[13]

Location and description

[edit]

The park is located in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia about 22 kilometres (14 mi) south-east of the Adelaide city centre.[14] The conservation park occupies land in the gazetted suburbs of Cleland, Crafers and Waterfall Gully.[15]

By far the largest part of the park consists of bushland, mostly woodland with some open spaces where clearing has taken place.[16]

There are a number of walking trails, including the Waterfall Gully – Mount Lofty summit trail, a popular and fairly challenging ascent of the west side of Mount Lofty,[17] and parts of the long distance Heysen and Yurrebilla Trails, which run north–south along the higher ground in the east of the park.

From December 2012, many trails in the park became shared-use, allowing mountain bikers to also make use of the trails.[18]

Legislation and management

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All the reserves and parks in South Australia are proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act) and the Wilderness Protection Act 1992 (the WP Act). Conservation of reserves are committed to the Minister under the Crown Land Management Act 2009.[19] The NPW Act provides for the establishment and administration of reserves for conservation of wildlife in a natural environment, public benefit and pleasure and for other purposes.[3]

The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, which replaced the Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges (AMLR) in November 2020, is responsible for managing the natural assets of Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula regions.[20]

Cleland was formerly maintained by the South Australian Department for Environment & Water, and before that its predecessor, the Department for Water & Natural Resources.[21]

Cleland Wildlife Park

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Cleland Wildlife Park is managed separately from the national park,[13] as a major tourist destination since 1967[22] and as of 2021 attracting around 100,000 tourists every year.[13] It is a member of the South Australian Tourism Hall of Fame, having won the "Significant Tourism Attraction" category in 2007, 2008 and 2009 at the South Australian Tourism Awards,[22] and in 2021 won the Silver Award for South Australia's best tourist attraction.[23]

The park allows visitors to get close to the native animals in their natural environment,[22] and offers a number of experiences such as being photographed while holding a koala, interacting with reptiles every day of the week, observing and listening to the keepers at feeding times, meeting an short-beaked echidna, various guided day and night walks and children's experiences.[24] Wandering around the enclosures, some of the animals are able to be patted, such as the kangaroos (red and western grey) and swamp wallabies. Other animals at the park include Tasmanian devils, southern hairy-nosed wombats, western pygmy possums, bilbies, yellow-footed rock wallabies, dingoes and many native birds, and reptiles including snakes and goannas.[25]

It is accessible by sealed road from both the South Eastern Freeway and Greenhill Road, and on foot on a formed but steep track from Waterfall Gully or Mount Lofty.[17] A limited public bus service operates.[26]

Other locations

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Mount Lofty summit

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Further information: Mount Lofty

Mount Lofty summit is 727 metres (2,385 ft) above sea level. It provides sweeping vistas across the Adelaide Plains and Gulf St Vincent. Flinders Column, a white painted obelisk shaped like a lighthouse, is a landmark which can be seen from far away on a clear day. Car parking facilities are provided: charges are payable. Public bus route 823 serves the summit with three journeys a day (including weekends and most holidays).[26] Other facilities include an information centre/ souvenir shop, a cafe/restaurant (closed Mondays) and public toilets.

Waterfall Gully

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Further information: Waterfall Gully

Waterfall Gully, another popular part of the park, is located on its western edge. It can be accessed via the sealed Waterfall Gully Road. The main attraction is a waterfall, the largest of several in the park. The base is a short walk from the car park and the top can be reached by a formed but steep footpath, which continues to Cleland Wildlife Park and Mount Lofty summit.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Terrestrial Protected Areas of South Australia (refer 'DETAIL' tab )". CAPAD 2016. Australian Government, Department of the Environment (DoE). 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Protected Areas Information System - reserve list (as of 16 July 2015)" (PDF). Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b "South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972" (PDF). www.legislation.sa.gov.au.
  4. ^ a b "Protected Areas Category II". iucn.org. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  5. ^ "CAPAD 2014". environment.gov.au.
  6. ^ "Priority Area 1: Protected areas .... conserving nature". iucn.org. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015.
  7. ^ R. V. Southcott, 'Cleland, Sir John Burton (1878–1971)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, [1], published in hardcopy 1981, accessed online 18 April 2014.
  8. ^ Read, Charles (27 November 2017). "Hong Kong's LKF Group to lead AUD $150m transformation of Adelaide's Cleland Wildlife park". Blooloop. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  9. ^ Cleland Park proposal in Adelaide Hills is just 'pre-election glitter', former Democrat says ABC News, 28 November 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  10. ^ Speirs, David (26 November 2021). "SA now home to Australia's biggest national park". Premier of South Australia. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021. Text may have been copied from this source, which is available under a Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0 AU) licence.
  11. ^ Gooch, Declan (26 November 2021). "Australia's biggest national park declared in South Australia's far north". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Share your views on the future of Cleland National Park". Department for Environment and Water. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  13. ^ a b c Birdjan, Tijana (25 November 2021). "National Park status for Cleland". Adelaide East Herald.
  14. ^ "Cleland National Park". National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Search result for " Cleland (Suburb)" (Record no SA0040499) with the following layers selected - "Suburbs and Localities" and "Local Government Areas"". Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  16. ^ Hardy, Anne (1989). The Nature of Cleland (2nd ed.). South Australian Government - State Print - State Publishing.
  17. ^ a b c "Cleland CP - Waterfall Gully To Mount Lofty Hike". Archived from the original on 16 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Mountain Biking in Cleland Conservation Park". ridemorebikes.com. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  19. ^ "Park management". Department for Environment and Water. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board – NRM Regions Australia". NRM Regions Australia – NRM Regions Australia is the national collaborative group for Australia’s 56 regional NRM organisations. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Cleland Conservation Park". Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015. This url now redicts to the National Parks web page for the new national park.
  22. ^ a b c "Our approach". Cleland Wildlife Park. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Home". Cleland Wildlife Park. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Cleland experiences". Cleland Wildlife Park. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  25. ^ "What animals will I see?". Cleland Wildlife Park. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Opening hours & getting here". www.environment.sa.gov.au. Cleland Wildlife Park.

Further reading

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Media related to Cleland Wildlife Park at Wikimedia Commons

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