Bael Bael Grassland Nature Conservation Reserve

Images ©:
Paul Foreman
Area Data 
https://grasslands.ecolinc.vic.edu.au/sites/default/files/Bael%20Bael%20NCR.geojson
Description 

The reserve is characterised by treeless grassland plains punctuated by occasional strips of Black Box or Eumong (Acacia stenophylla) dominated woodland along ephemeral watercourses. The grasslands typically occur on ‘red’ and ‘grey’ soils.

State 
VIC
Location 

On Wanderers Plain  (Lower Avoca River plains), west of the Kerang Lakes some 20 kms west, north-west of Kerang and 262 kms north, north-west of Melbourne

Size 
1777 ha
Owner 
Victorian Government
Manager 
Parks Victoria
Contacts 

Call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au

History 

The BBGNCR was created in 2009 when the Victorian government purchased 1,770 ha of remnant chenopod grasslands at Bael Bael with financial support from the Commonwealth government to contribute to National Reserve System targets . This is the largest intact and continuous grassland in the district, with a history of sheep grazing.  In the years prior to its purchase, paddocks were used for grazing in combination with adjoining paddock stubbles; there has been no grazing in the reserve since its purchase. 

Signifigance 

Twenty-six rare or threatened plant species are known to occur within the grasslands, and it is home to over 100 species of birds including the endangered Plains Wanderer. The Grey-crowned Babbler and the Bush stone curlew. Native mammals and reptiles include the Fat tailed Dunnart, Striped Legless Lizard and Hooded Scaly-foot, a large legless lizard that is considered critically endangered in Victoria