Behind the fences that line one of Adelaide's busiest streets, an explosion of spring colour and life is underway.
In the north western corner of Urrbrae Agricultural High School, bordered by Cross Road, the Urrbrae Wetland is awash with colour and baby-birdlife as the warmth of spring touches the 375 hectare site.
Transformed from a wheat paddock to a wetland in 1996, the area has become an integral step in mitigating flooding of the Cross Road area by arresting the catchment areas rainfall.
Through a series of traps, netting, a sediment pond and water reeds, leaf rubbish, solid matters and pollutants are removed from the run-off with the treated water piped into Brown Hill Creek.
Maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers, the Friends of the Urrbrae Wetland, the area is utilised by students at the school, TAFE students and visiting schools and community groups, with around 10,000 visitors each year.
As the seasons change, the wetlands evolve into a palate of colours and scents from the variety of native fauna that has been established on the site.
"All of the plants on the site are plants that were indigenous to this area of Adelaide going back to the time of white settlement," chairman of the Friends of the Urrbrae Wetland, Don Buick explained.
The wetland is also home to approximately 50 different species of birds, with populations experiencing their own type of bloom.
"This time of the year many of those birds are now mating and you'll see squadrons of ducks marching around with their parents."
Due to the wetland being on school grounds, for the safety of students, it is only open to the public on specified open days.
The next open day for Urrbrae Wetland is on Sunday, 14 October 2012, from 1:30pm till 4:00pm.
Illustrated talks will be held at 1:40pm, 2:10pm and 2:50pm, guided walks at 2:00pm, 2:30pm and 3:10pm and a children's guided tour at 2:15pm.