It would therefore come as a surprise to many of us that there are remnant bushland reserves within the Orange area containing species of Australian native wildflowers.

One such area where wildflowers are to be found is the Black Sallee Reserve – situated to the south of the Rural Fire Service building on Forest Road – and so named for the species Eucalyptus stellulata found here.

This reserve is adjacent to the western section of Gosling Creek Reserve, and can be accessed by taking the gravel path located in the south-west corner of Gosling Creek Reserve and riding under the historic bridge, over 100 years old, located on Forest Road. 

Last year in December I was privileged to be part of a wildflower walk through the reserve. Like others on the walk I was thrilled and surprised to see the beauty and diversity of the wild flowering native plants that had responded to recent rains.

Among the many wildflowers to which we were introduced were native orchids, billy buttons, native bluebells and chocolate lilies.

These and many other species we observed have been allowed to thrive because of the undisturbed nature of their surroundings.

Black Sallee reserve has been set aside as an example of a grassy box woodland environment, most of which has been destroyed elsewhere to make way for agriculture.

MAP: Where is the wildflower reserve …

Orange is fortunate in that we have other relatively undisturbed reserves which, through neglect or design, have been retained as much as possible in their natural state. Other such areas include Wentworth Reserve, Bloomfield Park, McFarlane Park, the South Western end of Gosling Creek Reserve and the Bloomfield Bushland.

Unfortunately, some of these reserves are under threat from the incursion of feral weeds like hawthorn.

The removal of introduced species is an opportunity for members of the community to be involved through participation in working bees.

Times and dates for working bees can be obtained through contacting the Environmnetally Concerned Citizens of Orange at ecco.orange@gmail.com.

Places such as those mentioned above are frequently under threat from competing demands from residential development or recreational infrastructure.

It is important for the survival of our wild plants and the environment that supports them that these demands be redirected. 

That our precious wild places be allowed to continue to provide us with experiences that connect us with nature.

As a community we must be their advocate if we are to keep our special wild places for our enjoyment and for the enjoyment of future generations.