Urban Sanctuary Series

The Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary legally protects the biota and their habitats at Beaumaris, a seaside village on Port Philip, Victoria, Australia, just over 20 kilometres from Melbourne’s Central Business District.

The sanctuary is of particular significance as it lies within an urban setting. It was established in 2003 and comprises the upper subtidal and intertidal marine systems plus an adjacent open woodland. Not surprisingly, it is a popular site, especially for nature lovers, recreational divers and school visits.

To help the public enjoy the sanctuary, and to respect the diverse animals and plants within it, a series of books were planned, the first, The Urban Sanctuary: Algae and Marine Invertebrates of Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary, being published in 2012. To maximise utility, the local publisher, Greypath Productions, had it printed with Canadian wire binding, allowing user ease in the field, whilst retaining an attractive book-bound appearance on the shelf. Widespread approval of the binding has resulted in all subsequent volumes being published in this fashion.

The first book has been sufficiently successful to have been reprinted several times. Since then, a further five books have been published, on the Fossils, the Birds, the Terrestrial Plants, the Common Insects & Spiders and the Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals of the sanctuary; each volume is fully illustrated, with notes on the key characteristics, the abundance and distribution of each species.  Charts, to help identification, are included for most taxa.