Bushland
There are 55 reserves containing natural bushland in the City of Melville.
The reserves range in size from 0.14 hectares to 54 hectares. The complete area of bushland is approximately 295 hectares. Some of the reserves contain lakes, damplands and wetlands.
There are a number of Bush Forever sites and Blue Gum Reserve, Booragoon Lake and Piney Lakes form the northern part of the Beeliar Regional Park, a chain of wetlands running North/South five to seven kilometres from the coast. The regional park provides nesting and feeding areas for birds migrating from the Northern hempishere and Northern Australia.
These bushland remnants provide valuable habitat for native flora and fauna. They also offer the community recreational activities such as nature study, photography, bushwalks and provide visual amenity.
Because of development and the impact from various urban influences, these bushland areas differ in condition from excellent to poor. The main threats to the reserves are weeds, feral and domestic animals, fire and the loss of biodiversity because of the small size of some reserves.
A number of feral animals exist in the bushland and wetland areas. They include foxes, feral cats, rabbits, mosquito fish, honeybees, domestic ducks and the laughing kookaburra. Fox and rabbit control takes place in some of the reserves.
Use the bushland areas as much as you can and help keep them in good condition by staying to the tracks and don't pick any of the wildflowers. Dogs and cats should be kept under control at all times. Pick up and dispose of their excrement properly.