Establishing a Woodland Sanctuary

doi:10.1017/9781316221815.007

4 - Establishing a Woodland Sanctuary

from Part I - Beginnings

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 July 2026

David J. Shorthouse and

Adrian D. Manning

Edited by

Adrian D. Manning

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Adrian D. Manning: Affiliation:
The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

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Summary

Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary (MFWS) protects over 1,500 hectares of critically endangered Yellow-box Red-gum Grassy Woodland. Its establishment and development reflect a unique collaboration between the Canberra community, the ACT Government and the Australian National University (ANU). Strategic partnerships and government funding enabled the creation of a predator-proof sanctuary adjacent to new urban development. ACT Parks and Conservation Service eliminated invasive species (foxes, cats, rabbits and hares), allowing the reintroduction of locally extinct mammals (eastern bettongs, eastern quolls, spotted-tailed quolls and New Holland mouse) and bush stone-curlews. These reintroductions are central to the long-term Mulligans Flat - Goorooyarroo Woodland Experiment, initially funded through Australian Research Council grants. Continued support from the ACT Government, the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, and the Odonata Foundation enabled the construction of Wildbark, a community visitor learning centre that now serves as a hub for woodland tours, research, and education.

Keywords

Ecological restoration Predator-proof sanctuaries Woodland ecology Species reintroduction Conservation governance Community advocacy Dasyurus viverrinusBettongia gaimardiDasyurus maculatus Environmental education Urban conservation Pookila Long-term ecological research Public–private partnership Safe haven

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Rebuilding an Ecosystem
Integrating Applied Research and Restoration
, pp. 72 - 104

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316221815.007 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2026

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