Butcher Gap Conservation Park is a
protected area
Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural or cultural values. Protected areas are those areas in which human presence or the exploitation of natural resources (e.g. firewood ...
located in the
Limestone Coast
The Limestone Coast is a name used since the early 21st century for a Regions of South Australia#South Australian Government regions, South Australian government region located in the south east of South Australia which immediately adjoins ...
of
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which in ...
overlooking
Lacepede Bay
Lacepede Bay ( , ) is a bay in the Australian state of South Australia located on the state's south-east coast about northwest of Mount Gambier and about southeast of Adelaide. It was named in 1802 by the Baudin expedition of 1800-03 after ...
about south of the town of
Kingston SE. The conservation park was proclaimed under the ''
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972
Protected areas of South Australia, consisting of protected areas located within South Australia and its immediate onshore waters and which are managed by South Australian Government agencies. As of 2018, South Australia contained 359 separat ...
'' in 1990.
The following statements from the conservation park's management plan summarises its conservation significance:
The park comprises the foredune and associated swale system surrounding a wetland area (including Salt lake and Butchers lake), bisected by the Butcher Gap Drain… The wetland supports an association of dense South Australian swamp paperbark (''Melaleuca halmaturorum'') over marine meadow, while the remainder of the Park is a coastal scrub association. A lease of the area of Butcher Gap drain that bisects the Park has been negotiated with the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board. The park is an important seasonal habitat for migratory bird species. The wetlands support a variety of waterfowl, including some migratory waders, however, its value to these species is not well understood… The park is recognised as suitable habitat for the endangered orange-bellied parrot
The orange-bellied parrot (''Neophema chrysogaster'') is a small parrot endemic (ecology), endemic to southern Australia, and one of only three species of parrot that bird migration, migrate. It was described by John Latham (ornithologist), John ...
(''Neophema chrysogaster''), which has been observed feeding on two-horned searocket (''Cakile maritima'') near the beach and in the extensive samphire habitat around Salt Lake.
The conservation park is classified as an
IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the status ...
Category III protected area.
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References
External links
Butcher Gap Conservation Park official webpageButcher Gap Conservation Park webpage on protected planetFriends of Butchers Gap webpage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butcher Gap Conservation Park
Conservation parks of South Australia
Protected areas established in 1990
1990 establishments in Australia