Conserving our Environment
At Ben Ricketts we are dedicated to conserving the unique plant & animal biodiversity of the Illawarra escarpment, while providing affordable holiday accommodation to families, groups and individuals.
Our Voluntary Conservation Agreement with the NSW Minister for the Environment ensures that the property is managed to maximise its important environmental value. Through regular working bees, bushcare contractors and lots of volunteer time the Ben Ricketts shareholders and friends are making tremendous progress in eliminating invasive weeds. We have seen exciting regeneration of the native rainforest and enjoy the steady increase in the native bird, marsupial and insect populations. Our wildlife videos and conservation gallery below capture some of this diversity.
What is the 'Environmental Preserve'?
On 21 December 2006, the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Bob Debus signed the Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve Voluntary Conservation Agreement. 90% of the total land area of the three properties which make up the Preserve is included in the VCA. Thanks to Rob Pallin and staff at the National Parks and Wildlife Service who worked on the detail of the agreement.
Over the years we have steadily worked to improve the property and make it accessible to our guests. This mudmap shows some of the landmarks and walking tracks on the property.
On 21 December 2006, the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Bob Debus signed the Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve Voluntary Conservation Agreement. 90% of the total land area of the three properties which make up the Preserve is included in the VCA. Thanks to Rob Pallin and staff at the National Parks and Wildlife Service who worked on the detail of the agreement.
Our celebrity residents: lyrebirds
Of all the hundreds of wonderful animals and birds living on Jamberoo Mountain, there are perhaps none capture our imaginations more than the Superb Lyrebird. We are very fortunate to enjoy their extraordinary songs and elusive sightings all year round.
But you can get lucky. While mostly lyrebirds are shy, you will occasionally see them running across the paddock in front of the cabin in the morning, and scratching around on the rainforest floor. Occasionally we come across males in full display on the mound they have carefully built. The video on the right right (filmed not far behind Lyrebird cabin!) shows one such male in action.
We also get the chance to hear different songs. This sound recording is very different from the video.
Wildlife videos
BREP wildlife
BREP wildlife
Ringtail possum
Noisy pitta on Jamberoo Mountain
Long-nosed bandicoot
