Editing Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (section)

== History of the nature reserve ==

In 1936 about {{convert|8.10|km2}} were set aside as a public reserve. In 1939 a [[koala]] enclosure was built by the Institute of Anatomy. The government acquired additional land to establish a national park and fauna reserve in 1962, extending the national park to {{convert|36.29|km2}}. Tidbinbilla was later expanded again to its current size.

In 1966 the park saw the appointment of park ranger and later manager, David Bruce Kerr. He developed many of the bush walking tracks, enclosures, water fowl areas and roads throughout the park. Under his management the [[Cape Barren goose]] enclosure and conservation scheme was developed which has significantly contributed to the survival of the endangered species. In 1969 the first wildlife displays were created. David oversaw the importation of Victorian koalas to the park, the establishment of kangaroo enclosures and the creation of the water fowl areas. Many of the picnic areas enjoyed by generations of visitors were established under his management. David left Tidbinbilla in 1974 to oversee the foundation of [[Namadgi National Park]].

In 1971 the nature reserve was officially gazetted.

The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is located adjacent to the [[Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex]], part of the [[NASA]] [[Deep Space Network]].

1988 saw one of the world's first international TV satellite linkups "World Safari" be broadcast from Tidbinbilla's kangaroo enclosure. The ABC linked up with fellow broadcasters across the globe in a live natural history program, which was an idea from David's daughter, Fiona Kerr.

In 2003, bush fires devastated the nature reserve with many of the koala population being lost to the fires. The Manager's Residence was also lost and there was damage to the Heritage listed Rock Valley and Nil Desperandum homesteads.

On 7 November 2008, the nature reserve was added to the [[Australian National Heritage List]] as one of eleven areas constituting the [[Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/australian-alps/index.html |title=Australian Alps National Parks information |access-date=2010-06-10 |work=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530085209/http://environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/australian-alps/index.html |archive-date=30 May 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since 2011, Tidbinbilla has taken the charge of breeding of the critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frog, the Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and the Eastern Bettong on behalf of the ACT Government. It has been successful in the endeavour over the years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/learn/tidbinbilla/endangered-species-breeding-programs|title=Endangered Species Breeding Programs|website=Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra}}</ref>