Have you spotted a Powerful Owl, heard the croak of a Taylor’s Laughing Tree Frog or photographed the distinct leaves of a Swamp Mahogany? Maybe you’ve caught a glimpse of a Sugar Glider, Goshawk or a Green Tree Snake?

These are just a handful of the vast array of plants and animals you could spot at one of four significant local wetland areas on the Northern Beaches, thanks to an ongoing collaboration between Council and the NSW Environmental Trust’s Saving our Species program.

Warriewood and Nareen wetlands in North Narrabeen, and Dee Why Creek’s freshwater wetlands are significant sites in the Sydney basin. These wetlands provide habitat for a diverse collection of flora and fauna - many of which are not found
anywhere else.  They also act as essential wildlife corridors and play an important role in flood mitigation, nutrient recycling and filtering sediments.  

But these wetlands are being impacted by the effects of runoff from urban development and invasive aquatic and woody weeds.  Preserving these important environmental areas as habitats for local and visiting species and flora is vital for local biodiversity. 

The NSW Government grant has helped Council to conserve vulnerable plants, animals and ecological communities, and notably to control the most invasive aquatic and woody weeds. This project has consolidated Council’s protection of these core habitats, and will help expand and reconnect wildlife corridors.

So next time you meander through or nearby these distinct patches of our local environment – check out the-  tread gently, breathe in the fresh air, celebrate the water and be sure to keep your eyes peeled; you never know what might pop into view!

Find out more information on our local wetlands including the self-guided  Warriewood Wetland Walk and keep an eye out for future guided wetland walks on our What's On pages.