WWFF Activation Kuma Nature Reserve VKFF-1954

As travelling down to my brothers place at Pambula Beach for Christmas, had a look on the map for parks to activate on the way from Canberra to the South Coast. Spotted VKFF-1954 Kuma Nature Reserve, just outside Cooma on the Monaro Highway, heading towards Nimmitabel.

Drove past and spotted it easily enough, an access point near the turnoff to Old Dangelong Road. There was a car parking area and a style allowing pedestrian access to the reserve.

Map of the park from ProtectedPlanet website.

A bit about the park, taken from http://grasslands.ecolinc.vic.edu.au/grassland/kuma-nature-reserve

History
Gazetted in 2003, this reserve is the largest area of natural grassland conserved within the NSW Southern Tablelands. The site was identified during assessment work for fauna and flora for construction of a gas pipleine. It was established as an offset area for another, unrelated development, and when the pipeine, was constructed, it was diverted away from the reserve. Prior to gazettal, the reserve had been used for sheep grazing.

Signifigance
A large and diverse site with the nationally listed endangered ecological community, Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands. The site conserves habitat of three threatened reptile species, the Endangered (Commonwealth & NSW) Grassland Earless Dragon, and Vulnerable (Commonwealth and NSW) Striped Legless Lizard, and the Vulnerable (NSW) Little Whip Snake. Threatened flora are also present: Hoary Sunray (Leucochrysum albicans) and Silky swainson-pea (Swainsona sericea). Other significant and regionally declining flora species occur.

I found from some reading on the net Kuma is the original aboriginal name for the area, where the town name Cooma comes from.

I set up using the park sign to support the squid pole, about the only structure available. Note the nearby power line. It made 40 m QRM with about an S8 of noise.

Shack in the grass. To save space in the car I didn't have my camp table and chair this time. I'd forgotten to pack my tarp, so just sat on my pack...

Got on 40m. Despite the QRM from the power line managed to work several chasers with good signals.

VK3SQ Geoff
VK1MT/2 Matt, mobile not far away
VK2HHA Dennis
VK2NP Cliff
VK1FWBD Wade
VK2EXA Greg

A park to park with Gerard VK2IO/p in VKFF-1906 Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve

Went on to work

VK2YK Adam
VK4TJ John
VK2USH Steve
VK5PAS Paul

Switched to 20m. First to call back VK5PAS Paul with a 59 plus signal. He was only S7 on 40m.

Worked some more park hunters
VK4RF/VK4HA Rick
Vk4AAC/2 Rob
VK2IO/p Gerard, again in VKFF-1906 Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve
VK2VW Brett
VK5PL David

As getting on and still some way to drive packed up after 18 QSOs. Headed to Nimmitabel for lunch.