Updates / News
Kelvedon Hills Reserve Eddie Safarik

2,300 Hectares of Nature Protected on Tassie’s East Coast

The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) has declared a new 2,300 ha nature reserve at Kelvedon Hills, with habitat to protect 40 rare and threatened species.

Kelvedon Hills is the TLC’s 25th nature reserve. The organisation’s reserves now take in more than 18,000 hectares, conserving ecosystems all over the state.

The TLC is proud to work with landholders around Tasmania, from farmers tending our biggest estates to those with a patch of bush they’re passionately preserving. Kelvedon Hills Reserve was previously part of the 5,000 ha Kelvedon Estate, owned by the Cotton family for generations. The TLC has been working with the Cottons for more than a decade to protect natural values on the property.

“Protecting a property like this makes a real difference. With habitat that can support 40 rare and threatened species, climate refugia and connectivity to other protected areas, Kelvedon Hills Reserve will be keystone of conservation in Tasmania. We are thrilled that the Cotton family has given us this opportunity to conserve this landscape in perpetuity.”

– James Hattam, CEO Tasmanian Land Conservancy
Kelvedon Hills Reserve Rob Blakers
Photo: Rob Blakers

Kelvedon Hills Reserve was purchased and protected with contributions from the public. Just over 800 people made more than 1,000 donations to conserve this vital landscape. The biggest single donation was from the Elsie Cameron Foundation, which provided $1 million in matched donations toward the $2.5 million cost of the reserve.

When the TLC establishes a reserve, a portion of the amount raised is invested through a capital endowment to fund the ongoing management of the property. Working with neighbours, the organisation’s scientists and reserves staff monitor, investigate and adapt management to ensure nature is protected and the local community’s needs are considered.

Kelvedon Hills Reserve provides habitat to protect 40 rare and threatened species, including 11 that are nationally threatened. Its grassy woodlands are home to a healthy population of Forester kangaroos, reduced to less than 15% of their range at the time of European settlement. Masked owls, swift parrots, wedge-tailed and white-bellied sea eagles, Tasmanian devils and spotted-tailed and eastern quolls occur across the property.

Habitats that woodland bird species need have declined by up to 80% across south-eastern Australia Flame and scarlet robins, spotted quail-thrush, painted button quail and dusky woodswallow, along with endemic birds, rely on the open eucalypt woodlands of Kelvedon Hills Reserve.

“As custodians of Kelvedon we are delighted to be involved with the TLC and the Kelvedon Hills project. This is a particularly scenic and special site, encompassing the Meredith River, and its future prosperity is best ensured under management by the TLC.”

– Jack and Anna Cotton, Kelvedon Estate
Kelvedon Hills Reserve Eddie Safarik
Photo: Eddie Safarik

The property is bounded by reserves: Dry Creek Nature Reserve and Eastern Tiers Conservation Area, with connections to TLC’s Little Swanport and Prosser River Reserves. Adding Kelvedon Hills Reserve means the east coast now boasts 3,500 ha of contiguous private reserves.


Find out more about Kelvedon Hills Reserve and the species it protects.

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Wherever and whenever we walk, we acknowledge and pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians and Owners of the land.