WEED WARRIORS RIDE NATIONWIDE

ENVIROWEEDS MAIL LIST

The sender is: Kelly Scott <kelly.scott@...>

Oct 12 2005

WEED WARRIORS RIDE NATIONWIDE

A new generation of Australians is emerging to protect the native
landscape and wildlife of the continent into the future.

Children at 200 schools in five states and territories have joined a
nationwide crusade to tackle one of our gravest environmental perils -
the progressive invasion of the native landscape by alien plants.

Primary students are now performing a task previously reserved for
scientists - breeding and releasing the natural enemies (usually
insects) of invasive plants like bridal creeper, gorse, Paterson's
curse, blue heliotrope, lantana and mimosa.

Known as "Weed Warriors", the students are not only learning about a
major environmental menace to Australia, but also that they have the
power to do something about it, says national co-ordinator Kate
McArthur, of the Weeds CRC.

"By studying both plants and their natural enemies, students learn a
huge amount about how nature works - while at the same time
understanding they have the ability to help fix the problem and to
protect their local landscape," Ms McArthur explains.

Started in Victoria in 2002, the Weed Warriors program has since
spread
to schools in South Australia, New South Wales, the ACT and Northern
Territory. It is due to start in Queensland this year, and in Western
Australia and Tasmania soon after. Work in WA will build on earlier
activities there by CSIRO involving school children.

Weed Warrior schools form partnerships with other schools and local
land
and environmental managers to tackle particular pest plants. For the
first time this is giving Australian city students a chance to play a
part in protecting the rural landscape.

"Often city people feel powerless to do anything about the degradation
of our bush landscape," Ms McArthur says. "This is one program which
offers them a direct chance to do something positive about it."

The six-week modules involve students in learning about plants, ways
to
control them, identifying weed threats in their local area and
planning
control programs. Much of the learning is out-doors and hands-on.

The Weed Warriors program creates mentor relationships between
students
and local farmers, landholders and natural resource managers who guide
the children and foster their passion for the landscape and its
preservation.

"For many children the project provides a first real relationship with
landscape", says Ms McArthur. "It's the kind of thing they'll never
forget. We really need to foster a sense of connection to and
responsibility for our landscape in our young people."

The CRC also has a national 'Lord of the Weeds' schools competition,
in
which school students prepare reports describing strategies to manage
weeds in their area.

Project manager Susanna Greig, based at the University of New England,
says that in 'Ghastly Guests', an upper primary unit of work, students
learn the basics about how plants invade the landscape, the problems
they cause and how they can be controlled. The CRC has also recently
launched a new interactive on-line game for students called 'Weed
Wipeout', available at:
www.weeds.crc.org.au/for_schools/weedwipeout_flash.html

Through the schools and their local networks, it is estimated that
more
than 15,000 Australians have now been recruited as Weed Warriors. As
word spreads, more and more schools are seeking to introduce the
program.

The national target is 600 schools within a few years, which has been
assisted recently by a grant of $432,000 from the Natural Heritage
Trust
to employ four new part-time Weed Warrior co-ordinators at state
level.

"For the first time these new resources and programs for schools offer
hope that we can build an awareness about invasive plants amongst
young
Australians, Ms McArthur said.

"The students and their country urgently need it."


More information:

Kate McArthur, Weeds CRC and Vic. Dept of Primary Industries, 03 9785
0111 or 0414 855 909

Vicki Hawker, Weeds CRC and SA Dept of Water, Land and Biodiversity
Conservation, 08 830-39501 or 0419 869 931 (available afternoon 12
Oct,
and 13 Oct)

Susanna Greig, Weeds CRC, 02-6773 2809, email
susanna.greig@...

Peter Martin, Weeds CRC, 0429 830 366 (not available pm Wed Oct 12)

http://www.weeds.crc.org.au/for_schools/weed_warriors.html

PICTURES of Weed Warriors and vision opportunities available.
Contact kate.mcarthur@... or ph 03 9785 0111