WEED SPOTTING – the latest sport ?
Kathy McDonald. August 15 activity follow up
DPI & DSE have recently created a Weed Alert Programme to focus on new and emerging weeds in the environment.
“ … if we can prevent serious new weed introductions or identify and eradicate new infestations early then it is significantly cheaper and less time consuming than waiting until the weeds cover a large area”.
Weed Spotters can be anyone with an interest in plants including gardeners, farmers, teachers, students, members of community groups … Training activities & publications will be made available to anyone interested in identifying & collecting plants that may pose potential threats to our environment whether it be on public or private land eg. roadsides, parks, cemeteries, rubbish dumps, bushland, farmland and even nurseries. Larger towns & cities are not exempt from unwanted weed invasion. A Weed Alert Contact Officer or WACO will report findings and field information to the national Herbarium. The efforts of Weed Spotters are keenly sought by the Departments to help monitor the potential threat of weed invasion. For more information visit the website www.dpi.vic.gov.au/weeds. To report new weeds in Victoria phone 136 186 or
Australian Weed Alert Hotline 1800 084 881.
Some weeds to look for : Bridal creeper, Mexican Feather grass, Broom, Lantana, Basket Asparagus, Garden Asparagus to name just a few.