Welcome to the Wilderlands project report for the Coorong Lakes project detailing the various monitoring activities undertaken as part of the management plan and offering insights into the outcomes and findings at each of the monitoring sites within the property.
This report has been developed by Wilderlands Lead Ecologist, Deanna Marshall.

We extend our sincere thanks to our collaborators, Cassinia Environmental and the Ngarrindjeri community. A special acknowledgement is extended to Bill Harman TAFE SA and the dedicated student and Ranger teams that we had the privilege to work with. Their ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge and offering valuable insights into the biodiversity and cultural connections of the property was truly appreciated.
Wilderlands would like to acknowledge and thank the following amazing volunteers that contributed to the collection of biodiversity data and assisted with land management works during 2024: A Rocha SA, Adam Blake, Denzel Murfet, Greg Ogle, James Marshall, Peter Morison.
We also want to thank The Wilderness School (staff & students) and TAFE SA (Conservation & Ecosystem Management, Aboriginal Access Centre – staff & students).

The Coorong Lakes Project is located south of Meningie, South Australia, and encompasses approximately 200 hectares of protected conservation land. Managed since 2019 under a South Australian Heritage Agreement, the site complements the internationally significant wetland systems of Lake Alexandrina and the Coorong Lagoons.

Its ecosystems range from samphire shrublands to mallee woodlands, hosting diverse flora and fauna, including the endangered Metallic Sun-orchid and Purple-gaped Honeyeater. The project aims to ensure the long-term conservation of critical habitats, promote biodiversity monitoring and research, and collaborate with local communities and stakeholders to enhance ecological outcomes.

The Coorong Lakes Project native bird diversity reached a total of 79 species, with the addition of Banded Lapwing, Blue-winged Parrot, Gilberts Whistler, Great Cormorant, Rainbow Bee-eater, Rainbow Lorikeet, Rufous Whistler, Southern Scrub-robin, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Yellow-rumped Thornbill and Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo.

The native plant diversity in the Coorong Lakes Project reached a total of 238 species, with several new threatened species recorded including Narrow-leaved Red-Mallee (Eucalyptus leptophylla), a species regarded as endangered under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, as well as Mallee Beard-orchid (Calochilus pruinosus), an endangered orchid species. The Coorong Lakes Project native orchid diversity now stands at 39 species, which is remarkably high.
Woods Well Spyridium (Spyridium fontis-woodii), Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act and Endangered under the SA National Parks and Wildlife Act was translocated onto the property in September 2024. This project is a collaborative effort between The Wilderness School and the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre. Wilderlands are so delighted to be part of this program, and we’ll continue to work with these partners into the future.

Western Pygmy Possums were discovered on the property. 11 individuals were located during spring, within specially made nest boxes that were installed in winter 2024.

Pitfall trapping undertaken in collaboration with TAFE SA and Ngarrindjeri revealed many new records for the property including numerous species of reptile and an amphibian.

Copper Trident-blue butterfly (Cyprotides cyprotus ssp. lucidus) was discovered in October 2024. Little is known about this butterfly, but it is considered rare in SA.

How Wilderlands monitor the flora at the Coorong Lakes
Flora monitoring was undertaken at all ten monitoring sites. The sites were permanently marked with two star pickets, one at the 0m point and one at the 50m point on the midline transect. These were surveyed in spring.

These star pickets also double as photo monitoring points. Photographs taken provide a visual representation of the condition of the vegetation at each site.

These monitoring points were established at the Coorong Lakes Project and have been utilised by Wilderlands as part of the ecological monitoring program. This program aims to monitor environmental change and contribute to our understanding of biodiversity management at the property scale
Click the sections below to see the results from each site.
Site 1 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) woodland vegetation class. A limited range of size-classes were present in the tree layer, and the site was dominated by mallee trees less than 10cm diameter at breast height over bark (DBHOB). No hollow-bearing trees were recorded and 0m of fallen logs observed. The tree canopy was Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia) with a mid layer of Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Sand-heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa). A low shrub layer consisted mainly of Muntries (Kunzea pomifera), Flame Heath (Stenanthera conostephioides) and Heath Tea-tree (Leptospermum myrsinoides). Sandhill Sword-sedge (Lepidosperma hispidulum) and Black Rapier-sedge (L. carphoides) dominated the ground layer, with a diverse range of forbs being present. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 46% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 0.7.
Site 2 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) woodland vegetation class. A limited range of size-classes were present in the tree layer, and mallee trees less than 20cm DBHOB were scattered throughout the northern part of the plot. No hollow-bearing trees were recorded and 0m of fallen logs observed. There was no Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia) tree canopy cover within the 20m x 20m quadrat. The lower layer was dominated by Muntries (Kunzea pomifera) and Sand-heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa), with a lesser cover of Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) and Brush Heath (Brachyloma ericoides). The ground layer consisted of Tassel Rope-rush (Hypolaena fastigiata) and a diverse range of native forbs. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 21% in the 5 x 1m2 plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 0.2.
Site 3 was located within the Saline Samphire Low Shrubland vegetation class and is an active revegetation site. There was no litter cover recorded in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and no dung recorded in the 10m2 sub plots. There was a high abundance of Sea Barley-grass (Hordeum marinum), an annual exotic weed. The low shrub layer was dominated by Grey Samphire (Tecticornia halocnemoides ssp. halocnemoides) with remnant Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca halmaturorum) and Moonah (M.lanceolata) on the verges of the depression, outside of the monitoring area. There was an average litter cover of 1% in the 5 x 1m2 plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 1.2.
Site 4 was located within an active revegetation site. Historically it was likely to have been open mallee woodland which may have consisted of Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia), Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) over Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana), Holaragis spp and Lomandra spp. During our monitoring period the site was in poor condition due to past clearance, grazing and the loss of understorey components. The site was on a calcareous rise, sloping at the eastern and western ends. Introduced pasture grasses and exotic forbs dominated with the very occasional low cover of Muntries (Kunzea pomifera) still present. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat there was an average litter cover of 8% in the 5 x 1m2 sub-plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 1.6.
Site 5 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) vegetation class. A range of size-classes were present in the tree layer, with 10-19cm DBHOB being the predominant category. No hollow-bearing trees were recorded. 1.5m of fallen logs was recorded in the 50 x 20m plot. The tree canopy consisted of Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia) with a shrub layer of Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Mallee Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca brevifolia). Sand Heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa) was the main species in the lower layer and a very wide variety of forbs dominated the understory including 11 species of orchid. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 59% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 0.5.
Site 6 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) vegetation class. A range of size-classes were present in the tree layer, with 1-5cm DBHOB being the predominant category. No hollow-bearing trees were recorded. 7m of fallen logs were recorded in the 50 x 20m plot. The tree canopy consisted of Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia) and Scrubby Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. stephaniae) with a shrub layer of Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Mallee Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca brevifolia). Mutries (Kunzea pomifera) was the main shrub species in the lower layer and a very wide variety of forbs dominated the understory. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 31% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 3.1.
Site 7 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) vegetation class. Mallee trees were predominantly less than 10cm DBHOB and there were no hollow-bearing trees. The Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) had numerous age classes and included trees within the 50-79 cm DBHOB. 5m of fallen logs were recorded in the monitoring site. The tree canopy in the quadrat was very low and consisted of Drooping Sheoak (A.verticillata) and Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia). Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Slaty Sheok (A. muelleriana) formed a mid story layer. A high cover of low shrubs consisting of Muntries (Kunzea pomifera), Brush Heath (Brachyloma ericoides) and Heath Sand Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa) were present, with Tassel Rope-rush (Hypolaena fastigiata) and Sandhill Sword-sedge (Lepidosperma hispidulum). A wide variety of forbs were well represented in the ground layer. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 36% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 1.2.
Site 8 was located within Desert Banksia (Banksia ornata) Shrubland vegetation class. There was no tree canopy cover represented in this monitoring plot and no hollow-bearing trees. 3m of fallen logs were recorded in the monitoring site. The shrub layer was dominated by Desert Banksia (B.ornata), Silver Banksia (B.marginata), Heath Tea-tree (Leptospermum myrsinoides), Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Sand-heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa). Horny Cone-bush (Isopogon ceratophyllus) and Sandhill Sword-sedge (Lepidosperma hispidulum) were predominant in the ground layer, along with a wide variety of forbs. There was an average litter cover of 38% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots, and there were no kangaroo pellets recorded in the 10 x 1m2 plots.
Site 9 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) vegetation class. Mallee trees were absent within the quadrat. The sparse canopy cover consisted of Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata), with numerous size classes predominantly less than 19cm DBHB. 5.5m of fallen logs were recorded in the monitoring site. Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) were present in the mid story. A high cover of low shrubs consisting of Muntries (Kunzea pomifera), Brush Heath (Brachyloma ericoides) and Heath Sand Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa) were present, with Tassel Rope-rush (Hypolaena fastigiata) and Sandhill Sword-sedge (Lepidosperma hispidulum). A wide variety of forbs were well represented in the ground layer. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 52% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 0.9.
Site 10 was located within the Saline Samphire Low Shrubland vegetation class. The low shrub layer was dominated by Black-seed Samphire (Tecticornia pergranulata ssp. pergranulata) and Beaded Glasswort (Salicornia quinqueflora ssp. quinqueflora) as well as Thorny Lawrencia (Lawrencia squamata). There was low cover of native forbs. There was no litter cover recorded in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots, and the average number of kangaroo pellets in the 10 x 1m2 plots was 1.4.
Total Flora Species Richness
The total number of flora species recorded in the 20m x 20m quadrats across ten monitoring sites for 2023 and 2024 is outlined below.
Most sites exhibited a slight decrease in species diversity from 2023 to 2024, likely due to variations in rainfall, climate, seasonal timing, and other factors. In 2024, Sites 1 and 5 were the most floristically diverse, each recording 63 native plant species in their quadrats. In contrast, Site 4 had the lowest floristic diversity, which was unsurprising as it is an active revegetation site on former farmland.
Similarly, Sites 3 and 10 showed relatively low floristic diversity, consistent with expectations
for Samphire Shrublands.

Threatened Flora Species
Narrow-leaf Red Mallee
A small population of Narrow-leaf Red Mallee (Eucalyptus leptophylla) (Fig. 14) was discovered on the southern section of the property.
This is quite a regionally common mallee species; however, it is recognised as being Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List) due to the ongoing threat of land clearing and habitat fragmentation throughout its known distribution.
Woods Well Spyridium
Woods Well Spyridium (Spyridium fontis-woodii) (Fig. 15) was translocated onto the property in September 2024. Fifty seedlings were planted across two locations on the property.
This project is a collaborative effort between The Wilderness School and the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre. Woods Well Spyridium is listed as Endangered under the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, and Critically Endangered under the Australian Governments Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The South Australian Seed Conservation Centre and The Wilderness School have been working on the recovery of this species for several years and have a number of ex-situ populations now established on private land as a protective measure against local extinction.
Mallee Beard Orchid
One individual plant of Mallee Beard Orchid (Calochilus pruinosus) was discovered on the property during late spring. In South Australia, Calochilus pruinosus is listed as Endangered under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Despite extensive searching of the immediate area, no more individuals were found.

Coast Daisy
Coast Daisy (Brachyscome parvula) was identified on the property by expert field botanist Denzel Murfet. In South Australia, it is classified as Rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, facing threats from habitat loss and competition with weeds. However, this species remains secure and relatively common across the property. Flowering from September to April, its small but striking white to lilac flowers, attract a variety of insects.

Metallic Sun-orchid
The Metallic Sun-orchid is a unique part of Australia’s native orchids. It’s special because it’s not only pretty with its metallic blue and purple flowers, but it also tells us a lot about the health of its surrounding environment. They often engage in complex relationships with pollinators and fungi, indicating a healthy and balanced natural environment and start to bloom in August and open only in full, direct sunlight.
Monitoring of the Metallic Sun-orchid population was conducted in August. Monitoring Sites
with suitable habitat were surveyed for the presence of Metallic Sun-orchid within 20m x 20m
quadrats. No Metallic Sun-orchid were recorded within the quadrats at monitoring Sites 1, 5,
and 7. However, Sites 2 and 9 contained Metallic Sun-Orchid.

At Site 2, 16 individuals were observed, but only 4 progressed to the seeding stage (Fig. 18).
Site 9 supported eight individuals, with just one reaching the seeding stage (Fig. 19). In total,
of the 24 Metallic Sun-orchids monitored in August 2024, only five successfully reached the
seeding stage, largely due to herbivory (Fig. 20).


Protecting the Metallic Sun-orchid is crucial not only for preserving this unique species but also for maintaining the ecological balance of the regions it inhabits. Monitoring and mapping their populations is key to understanding the changes in their population and health.
Bird Surveys / Monitoring
For bird surveys Wilderlands adopted the Bird Atlas method pioneered by BirdLife Australia, which involves the recording of bird species and the count of individual birds within a 2-hectare area during a 20-minute observation period. This approach has been embraced by individuals across the country, culminating in the creation of the nation’s most extensive biological database.
For the Coorong Lakes Project, bird species and numbers were recorded 50m either side of a 200m transect (2ha) over 20 minutes at each of the 10 sites, during both winter and spring. Data were entered into the Birdata app. Additionally, incidental species lists for the property were compiled during visits and also entered into the Birdata app.
In total, 519 birds of 42 species were recorded within the monitoring sites throughout 2024 (Fig. 18). Furthermore, 13 additional bird species were recorded outside of the designated monitoring periods. This cumulative effort resulted in the identification of 79 bird species for the Coorong Lakes Project since monitoring began, of which 78 bird species were native (see Appendix). The New Holland Honeyeater was the most numerous and widespread bird in the Wilderlands Coorong Lakes Project during the 2024 monitoring season.

During winter, 295 birds of 32 species were recorded in ten monitoring sites. Among these, the most frequently reported bird species during the winter season included Red Wattlebird, Silvereye and New Holland Honeyeater. During spring, 224 birds of 28 species were recorded in the ten monitoring sites. Among these, the most frequently reported bird species during the spring season were New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird and Rainbow Lorikeet.

Bird Richness and Abundance by Site
During winter, Sites 5, 7 and 9 had the highest species richness, while Sites 7, 9 and 10 had the highest species abundance (Fig. 17 – blue bars). During spring, Sites 2, 6 and 10 had the highest species richness, while Sites 5 and 9 had the highest species abundance (Fig. 17 – green bars).

Flagship Fauna
The variety in biodiversity at the Coorong Lakes is significant. Unfortunately many of the species that call the property home face threats and need protection which is why it’s so important that this property is preserved in-perpetuity and managed for conservation outcomes.

Nineteen Western Pygmy Possum (WPP) nest boxes were placed throughout the monitoring sites during May / June 2024 (Fig. 20).
The boxes were inspected during August, September and October 2024 (Table 1). The results indicated that WPP were widespread throughout the mallee heathland, having been found in 4 of the 7 sites sampled. In addition, WPP were also found in TAFE SA Aboriginal Access Centre pitfall trap lines on the property during October.
Table 1. Western Pygmy Possum (WPP) occupancy and site information showing that WPP were confirmed using nest boxes during the months of September and October, in four of the monitoring sites.
Partnering with TAFE SA and the Aboriginal Access Centre

The journey to discovering these possums came after months of planning and a chance encounter with Bill Harman, an expert in monitoring small reptiles and mammals who helped Deanna devise a plan to implement new detection techniques on the property.
The journey began late last year when Wilderlands’ Lead Ecologist, while completing her annual monitoring, noted that the Coorong Lakes habitat appeared ideal for small mammals and reptiles, thanks to its high-quality mallee eucalypt and banksia-grass tree shrublands. However, despite the perfect conditions, these animals remained elusive.
Through discussions with Steve Rigney, it was revealed that the Ngarrindjeri people had been collaborating for years with Bill Harman, a lecturer and coordinator of the Conservation and Ecosystem Management course at TAFE SA. Bill had extensive experience in monitoring small reptiles and mammals and helped devise a plan with Deanna to implement new detection techniques on the property.
This collaboration led to the idea of installing nest boxes for pygmy possums. As small, nocturnal creatures, these possums are notoriously difficult to spot. Bill proposed the idea, and Deanna’s family set to work, constructing the boxes from sustainable eco-ply in her central Victorian backyard. These nest boxes provide crucial shelter, especially for breeding females, where natural hollows are often lacking.
In June, the boxes were installed at seven locations across the property, with hopes of attracting the tiny creatures—some of which weigh as little as 13 grams.
Months later, the Wilderlands team returned, joined by Bill Harman, his students from the Aboriginal Access Centre at TAFE SA, National Parks Rangers from Noonameena, and members of the Raukkan community. The group was participating in a project to install pitfall traps, aimed at monitoring small mammals and reptiles.

While walking through the property, Bill happened to peer into one of the nest boxes—and there it was.
“It’s a pygmy possum!” he exclaimed.
The group hurried over to catch a glimpse, confirming that these were indeed Western Pygmy Possums, identified by their white belly fur.
As the day went on, more possums were found in other nest boxes, confirming the success of the project. This was not only a significant biodiversity win but also crucial, given the threats these tiny creatures face from predators like cats, as well as habitat fragmentation and land clearing.

Wilderlands return to the Coorong Lakes in the weeks to follow to install pitfall trap monitoring alongside Bill’s students; a process that involves placing buckets flush with the ground to catch small creatures, which will be inspected each morning – read more about the findings from that visit.
*All relevant permits have been obtained for this fauna survey work.
Copper Trident-blue
The Copper Trident-blue (Cyprotides cyprotus lucidus ssp. nov.) was discovered on the summit of Mt Sandy during spring. This butterfly is rare in South Australia. It is described as a ‘hilltopper’, meaning that the males fly to elevated areas and wait for females. Females typically search for males in the early morning and once mated, fly back down to flat land to locate suitable host plants for laying their eggs.On the property, suitable host plants may include Desert Hakea (Hakea mitchellii) and Limestone Needlebush (H. vittata).

The Copper Trident-blue butterfly may also have facultative associations with a species of ant. Such associations, typically involving the butterfly’s larvae, are not essential for the butterfly’s survival but provide certain benefits when they occur.
However, the relationship between the Copper Trident-blue butterfly and a specific ant species has yet to be confirmed.
Dung Assessments
Dung assessments conducted in 2024 revealed that all identified dung (100%) was from kangaroos, with levels higher at seven sites compared to the same period in 2023 (Fig. 22).

Although kangaroo carrying capacity figures for the ecosystem are not currently available, evidence of herbivore browsing impact exists. However, the property’s current management strategy prioritises controlling feral herbivores such as hares and deer. In the future, browsing exclosure plots may be considered to help determine the extent of herbivore impact on the environment.

Wilderlands employs remote cameras throughout the Coorong Lakes project for deeper insights into the species. These silent, unobtrusive devices enable observation of wildlife without human disturbance, enhancing our understanding of the ecosystem’s inhabitants
Our Coorong Lakes project has four remote cameras.

Operating continuously, they use heat and motion sensors to detect animals, automatically capturing images and videos upon movement. These findings are then integrated with on-site surveys for a comprehensive ecosystem analysis.

Remote cameras were deployed at Sites 7, 8, 9 and 10. Over an average of 238 trap nights, Western Grey Kangaroo were the most frequently recorded species (Fig. 23).

Protect precious biodiversity at the Coorong Lakes project. Forever. One square metre at a time.
The Coorong Lakes project is located in the heart of Meningie, South Australia, and encompasses a sprawling 200 hectares.
This conservation area is under the ownership and management of Cassinia Environmental in collaboration with the Ngarrindjeri people, serving as a dedicated nature reserve. This property plays a pivotal role in enhancing the regional ecosystem, notably complementing the adjacent Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert, and Coorong Lagoon systems which is where the Murray River meets the sea.
The property is host to a rich diversity of native plants and animals, including the rare Cleland’s Beard-heath (Leucopogon clelandii) and the rare and elusive Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans), and Wilderlands support aims to enhance the abundance of native wildlife to see this ecosystem flourish.
Wilderlands are committed to permanently protect and actively manage this property and have been fortunate to partner with incredible organisations like Adelaide Festival, al.ive body and many more businesses who are helping to preserve this project and bring their supporters on the journey.
Connect with our team to discover how you can join Wilderlands and protect this project today.
