Friends of Bool and Hacks Lagoons

The Friends of Bool and Hacks Lagoons is the independent body established to conserve and monitor Bool and Hacks Lagoons. Specifically, our group is committed to:

• Maintaining infrastructure (i.e., Viewing Platforms, Tea Tree Boardwalk),

• Monitoring a broad array of biodiversity (including but not limited to Water- and Shorebird, Insectivorous Bat, Reptile Communities),

• Restoring natural flows to the lagoons,

• Vegetation regeneration (esp. Tea Tree, Lignum),

• Broader community engagement (esp. through local channels),

• Promotion of the lagoons.

Bool and Hacks Lagoons are freshwater wetlands that comprise several semi-permanent lagoons characterised by shallow, circular swamps and creeks.

These wetlands are located on the traditional lands of Meintangk people, 393 kilometres southeast of the city of Adelaide and 24 kilometres south of the town of Naracoorte.

The site has an area of 3,200 hectares and is designated as a game reserve (Bool Lagoon) and conservation park (Hacks Lagoon). The wetlands act as a buffer storage basin in the regional drainage system and provide significant breeding habitat and drought refuge for waterbirds.

This Ramsar site is one of the most important wetland areas remaining in the southeast of South Australia and contains important examples of plant diversity.

It is a wetland of national importance for colonial nesting birds and hosts the largest ibis rookery in South Australia. In total, 79 species of waterbirds have been recorded in the area, including the state vulnerable Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) and freckled duck (Stictonetta naevosa).

We are currently recruiting members. As a member, you will receive sporadic newsletters about the wetlands. The first 50 members will receive an enamel pin. If you were interested in joining, please complete this form.