Weed busters tackle alps enemy
Charles Street, VNPA Secretary On the last weekend of February the 'WillowBusters' moved into the Alpine National Park near Falls Creek on a search and destroy mission. The enemy, Salix sp., is a vigorous weed most often found in the wetter areas of the park and more commonly known as willows. There are more than 700 bogs in the Bogong High Plains and most have willow plants growing in them. On the Saturday, after training from Melbourne University researchers and Parks Victoria rangers, we were assigned bogs, a map, a GPS and marking ribbon. Every willow we found was marked on the GPS and labelled with a coloured ribbon. The GPS also recorded the path of each squad. The researchers will use this information to determine the success of our work, and to plan the next attack. That night weary volunteers were quickly re-energised by an excellent presentation by VNPA park protection officer Phil Ingamells, who spoke about the dreadful return of cattle grazing to the alps in January. |
WillowBuster in action. Photo: Eva Klusacek |
Sunday morning was disrupted by rain, but we were back at work by the afternoon. In the evening Melbourne University researchers showed us the information we had recorded - we had visited a total of 18 bogs!
On Monday, the WillowBusters were again hard at work destroying willows with cutting and glyphosate, as well as marking them on GPSs.
We all walked away from the weekend with a warm glow in our hearts and the feeling we had done something good for our unique alps.
Many thanks to Parks Victoria rangers led by Elaine Thomas, Melbourne University researchers led by Dr Joslin Moore, Howmans Gap Alpine Centre, and our volunteers!
Also to Amy Dyer, Rod Novak and Phil Ingamells from the VNPA.
Well done everybody, and make sure you look out for the June edition of Park Watch, which will feature a personal perspective on alpine rehabilitation by VNPA member and volunteer Eva Klusacek.