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Newsletter #50 May 2004

Veldgrass control activities

 
This map (produced using GPS monitoring software the Friends of Shenton Bushland have developed) shows our veldgrass weeding activities so far this year. The bare patch in the middle is a dense veldgrass infestation. The grey area around it indicates surrounding bushland where we have been removing veldgrass.

Our strategy in veldgrass control is to work around the edges of veldgrass patches and encourage the surrounding bushland to gradually re-colonize the veldgrass infested area. This strategy is being supported by a $5000 grant from the State Government’s Community Conservation Grant scheme.

Research provides clues for bushland management

Research work by Judy Fisher in Bold Park may help guide us in the way we manage weeds such as veldgrass.

It seems that areas of bushland that have been frequently and regularly burnt over many years (such as the veldgrass infested area shown in the map above), lose their upper canopy and become infested by weeds (such as veldgrass and pelargonium).  These areas tend to have high phosphorous levels, and low soil moisture levels, which cause further loss of vulnerable species (such as Banksia).

This research has a number of implications for our bushland management strategies. It suggests that we need to:

1. oppose pressure by FESA to conduct fuel reduction burns in the bushland, because such practices will increase the vulnerability of the bushland to further weed invasion.
2. be prepared (if there is a fire) to spray all of the burnt areas in the following winter to reduce veldgrass infestation. The time immediately following a fire is an opportunity to control veldgrass. This means that we may need to build up a reserve of herbicide (Fusilade) to use in this situation. 
3. continue to remove pelargonium infestations. Judy’s research indicates that areas infested by Pelargonium have very few viable native seeds, and lose the capacity to regenerate themselves.
4. focus our work around the edges of weed infestations in the bushland, because that is where we have the greatest chance of encouraging the bushland to re-colonize the weed infested areas.

The edges of weed infested areas are not always obvious to the eye. This is the reason we have invested in GPS technology, which helps us to map weeds in the bushland, identify the areas we want to work in, and map changes that may arise from our work.

Volunteers to the rescue

One of our biggest challenges in managing the bushland is to get enough volunteers to help us with the work. So, we are always on the lookout for new ways of attracting potential helpers to the bushland.

Sometimes these helpers turn up in the most unexpected ways!

During a recent kayaking holiday at Ningaloo, Dani met a geologist from Woodside who was looking for suitable opportunities for Woodside employees interested in doing community work. A date has been arranged for the 15 workers to come and help us pull out veldgrass, pelargonium, fountain grass, and flinders ranges wattle. We also plan to install shadecloth along the southern fence to stop weeds being blown into the bushland from Defence Department Land.

The offer of volunteers from Woodside has awakened us to the possibility that other local businesses may have similar volunteer programs. If you know of a company that encourages its employees to do community work, please let Dani know!

Help needed for linking with local schools

We are presently developing funding proposals to enable local schools (Shenton College, Moerlina, and Quintilian) to engage their students in bushland activities. Anyone with a little spare time, and a teaching background who can help us (eg by leading school groups around the bushland) would be greatly appreciated.

Help needed with notice boards

Our notice boards are sadly neglected. We would love to hear from anyone interested in keeping them up-to-date. If you have photographic or graphic design skills, so much the better!

Next Meeting

Our next committee meeting is on Thursday, May 20, at 7:30pm. We will be planning and prioritising weeding activities for the coming winter. All welcome (117 Derby Road, Shenton Park).