El Volador

Beautiful photograph of Dianella amoena captured by Boobook who is an amateur Aussie naturalist living in Geelong, Victoria.


Gresswell Hill is about 9 hectares in size (Muyt, 2004) and was once a part of the Mont Park Psychiatric hospital grounds. It formed a Nature Conservation reserve in 1978. La Trobe University took over management of the reserve in the mid 1990’s, as the land around it was developed for housing. Gresswell Hill contained a former army signal tower and still contains a decommissioned water tower.


Gresswell Hill is home to at least 30 significant species of indigenous plants, including one species of National Significance, Matted Flax Lily (Dianella amoena), four species of Regional Significance within Greater Melbourne, and 25 species of High Regional Significance in North-east Melbourne.


Gresswell Hill forms an important part of the regional habitat corridor linking Diamond Creek valley with the Plenty and Yarra River Valleys.[1]

Notilia

[1]  The La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1967 as a project in the restoration and management of indigenous flora and fauna. The Wildlife Sanctuary's primary aim is to provide opportunities for learning about indigenous flora and fauna through engaging with the community.