[3] The reserve is positioned within two Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) bioregions of the Cobar Peneplain and the Murray Darling Depression.

The dominating ridge system is the Merrimerriwa Range, which is a prominent feature in the landscape that extends south throughout the south-east corner of the reserve.

[3] Both community structure and diversity of the vegetation throughout the reserve has undergone measurable alteration as a result of land clearance and grazing activities.

Uncertainty surrounds the pre-European character of distribution and diversity of vegetation and therefore the full extent to which impacts have altered the natural community assemblage is unclear.

[10] The extent of intact mallee within the reserve highlights the importance for conservation activities for both the distinctive plant communities and the inhabiting fauna.

[8] Examples of mammal species include the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), yellow-bellied sheathtail-bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris).

Notable species include malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata), red-lored whistler (Pachycephala rufogularis), grey falcon (Falco hypoleucos), pink cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) and striated grass wren (Amytornis striatus).

[3][12] Management strategies at the time of NPWS reserve plan included breeding programs alongside activities to reduce threatening processes and predatory species.

A national recovery plan targeting a range of endangered species, not specific to the reserve, includes actions to protect and promote the malleefowl population.

[3] The threat of fire has been listed as a Key Threatening Process (KTP) by the NSW Government as it would have a drastic effect on the "loss of vegetation structure and composition".

Examples of the bird species that are vulnerable include; red-lored whistler (Pachycephala rufogularis), malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) and striated grass wren (Amytornis striatus).

Yathong Nature Reserve is managed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), an agency of the Government of New South Wales.

The management goals of the reserve plan are the protection of floral and faunal communities with wider consideration of natural and cultural heritage and public uses.

The Ngiyam and Wiradjuripaa people, traditional land owners, will be involved with works and activities that concern cultural values, heritage and important sites.

The reserve is also listed in the Important Bird Area database, which contributes to monitoring the population's numbers and therefore aiding future protection and conservation efforts.