What we have done
At the inaugural Kimberley Weeds Forum in 2015, more than 60 people from across the region gathered to discuss regional weed priorities and strategies, share maps and information, and raise awareness of resources, legislation and control options. To our great satisfaction, two of the weeds identified by participants as being amongst the priority five weeds for the region have since been listed as declared weeds: neem and grader grass.
The weeds forum, organised by Environs Kimberley, was supported by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, Ord Land and Water, the Kimberley Land Council, Department of Parks and Wildlife, and the West Kimberley Rubber Vine Eradication Program. The feedback on this forum was that it was valuable to connect with others from across the region, to hear about who was doing what, how and where, and to understand the enormity of work being undertaken with limited resources.
Participants agreed that an established weeds network could support people to work in a more coordinated way across the region, and that they should communicate more often with decision-makers about priorities, results and resourcing.
Kylie Weatherall presents at the 2015 Weeds Forum
What we are doing
We are excited to have developed the Kimberley Weeds Network. The intention of the Network is to build on the great momentum already generated throughout the region, support a regional voice, extend regional awareness and improve opportunities for collaboration and funding.
Newsletter
The Kimberley Weeds Network news is now a regular publication and keeps people connected, spreading weeds news, not new weeds.
The newsletter is a compilation of stories about Kimberley weeds, control activities, priorities, research and history from people and organisations from the east to the west. Thanks to the many contributors so far. You can read the newsletters here:
Kimberley Weeds Network Issue #4 (Aug 2022)
Kimberley Weeds Network Issue #3 (Jun 2021)
Kimberley Weeds Network Issue #2 (Sep 2020)
Kimberley Weeds Network Issue #1 (Dec 2019)
Online Mini-Forums
Before Covid-19, a 2020 Weeds Forum was fairly and squarely on the agenda for the Network, to bring weedos together to share important information. Instead, we have been gathering online to discuss weeds and approaches to containment and control in the Kimberley. These gatherings have evolved into mini-forums, where network members, experts and on-ground managers are invited to deliver short presentations about a particular weed project or concern, and where discussions are facilitated. These mini-forums are recorded and uploaded and links are emailed to the network, allowing members to catch up on missed sessions.
The following links have been made publicly available:
September 2022
Myrtle Rust is now in WA: What does this mean for us? by Mariana Campos (CSIRO)
March 2022
Stem implanted capsules – a versatile approach to woody weed management [PDF] by Vic Galea (Plant pathologist, University of Queensland)
November 2021
The Katherine Regional Weeds Strategy – a working together approach Part 1 and Part 2 by Susan King (Regional Weed Officer, NT Weeds Branch and Executive Officer, Katherine Regional Weed Reference Group)
Strategic weed planning with Kimberley Indigenous Rangers by Matt Macdonald (Project Coordinator, Environs Kimberley)
Broome Weeds Strategy 2021 by Joy Welshman (Manager of Works, Broome Shire Council)
Talking weeds strategy Q and A with Susan King (NT Weeds Branch), Matt Macdonald (Environs Kimberley) and Joy Welshman (Broome Shire Council)
September 2021
The weed managers' guide to remote detection and Q and A by Dr Jane Kelly (CSU/Graham Centre)
Machine learning success to detect rubbervine flowers by John Szymanski (Aquila Project)
April 2021
Final results of the neem control trials in the East Kimberley Part 1 and Part 2 by Blu Gaff (Field Officer, Kimberley Regional Biosecurity Association)
The design phase of the National Weeds App Part 1 and Part 2 by Andrew Mitchell (Science Leader – Automated Weed Identification Project, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions)
The weeds prioritisation process undertaken with Bunuba Rangers and Traditional Owners by Bruce Greatwich (District Conservation Coordinator from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)
November 2020
An ecosystem approach to invasive species management Part 1 and Part 2 by Judith Fisher (Socio-ecologist and Theme Leader IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management Thematic Group Ecosystems and Invasive Species)
Experience with Quik Spray units by Susan King (NT Weeds Branch)
July 2020
Development of a multi-disciplinary Northern Australian neem project by Karen Bell (UWA – CSIRO)
Early stage trial of DiBak Fungus and other methods to control neem by John Szymanski (West Kimberley Rubber Vine Eradication and Aquila Project)
May 2020
Mitigating weed impacts: a prioritised research program for Western Australia. An introduction to the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute by Bruce Webber (CSIRO/WABSI)
Should you be anywhere in the Kimberley with access to a phone, computer or community centre with Internet, and wish to support others in their efforts to detect, control and eradicate weeds, consider being an active member of the Network and please get in touch with us.
Weeding days
Minyirr Park
In June 2021, 26 members of the Broome community harnessed their ‘inner weed warrior’ and came along to our Minyirr Park weeding day, hosted by Environs Kimberley, Yawuru Country Managers and the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions. The volunteers removed a large patch of invasive vines that were strangling endangered monsoon vine thickets—about 200m! Our quest continues with more weeding days requested and happening soon, listed on our event page.
Volunteers who removed invasive vines that threaten monsoon vine thicket
Broome Horse Riders' Club
Environs Kimberley partnered with the Broome Horse Riders' Club (BHRC) to host a woody weed workshop where volunteers learnt how to treat neem and other woody weeds using the drill ‘n’ pill technology (Trialing New Technologies - Environs Kimberley). The keen volunteers were able to treat 35 trees around the rodeo grounds in two hours! Most importantly, the BHRC members have now been empowered to continue this important work at future working bees.
Broome Horse Riders Club members treat woody weeds using the drill n pill method
To promote your local community weeding event, or learn about upcoming events in your area, please email the Network.
Into the Future
KNP will continue to work with others to build skills and share knowledge through the Kimberley Weeds Network.
For those who would like to be on the Kimberley Weeds Network email list for invites to mini forums, to catch up on forum presentations, or to receive the next newsletter, please email Danielle Bain.
Partners
Organisations engaged in and supporting the network include: Yawuru Country Managers, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kimberley Regional Biosecurity Association, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, West Kimberley Rubber Vine Eradication Program, NT Weeds Branch, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Ord Land and Water, Kimberley Land Council, and others.
Funders
This project is managed by Environs Kimberley. Funding was provided through the Western Australian Government State NRM Program 2019-2021. The Australian Government’s National Landcare Program has provided funding from 2021 to current.
Links to interviews and media
Kimberley weed priorities and strategies discussed at inaugural forum
For more information contact:
Showing 1 reaction