Rare fern protected at Sunny Creek

Tucked away next to a waterfall at Gippsland Water’s Sunny Creek Conservation Reserve in Trafalgar is the endangered Filmy Maidenhair fern (Adiantum diaphanum).

The delicate fern is critically endangered in Victoria and is only found in a handful of locations in the state’s Strzelecki Ranges.

Thursday is National Threatened Species Day and provides an opportunity to shine a light on species that are facing a similar fate to that of the Tasmanian Tiger, which was declared extinct on 7 September 1936.

The Filmy Maidenhair is just one of the many endangered species of fauna and flora Gippsland Water’s environment team is supporting and preserving in the region.

More commonly found in warmer parts of the country as well as New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Southern China and Fiji, the fern prefers wet rock faces and riverbanks near waterfalls where humidity is higher and natural protection from bushfires is provided.

Dark green in colour, the fern has tufted fronds that can grow up to 25cm long. 

There are currently two small colonies at Sunny Creek, each measuring no more than two meters squared.

Gippsland Water’s environment team has been actively managing and monitoring weeds, pest animal activity and disturbance events at the site for several years.

In 2016 the Sunny Creek population of Filmy Maidenhairs became permanently protected under a conservation covenant.

The site is also home to populations of Superb Lyrebirds and Koalas.

To learn more about Gippsland Water’s work to protect the region’s fauna and flora visit: https://www.gippswater.com.au/sunny-creek

-ends-