Thought I might share a lil' something I thought up. Un-fortunatley will only work on weeds, the more noxious the better.
Recently I have been trying to figure out, how one could get involved in the removal of noxious weeds from National/state parks.
My objective was primarily privet, due to the clause stating "A removed weed may be stored in a secure location". Interesting but true. You may store a noxious weed if it is in a "secure" location and there is silt screen to prevent material runoff.
If you contact the local land care group (just google it) and request a list of volunteer groups in that area they will be more than happy to supply you with their details. Find the location where there is a dense pop of privet. Contact the group looking after the area and request to become a volunteer. They will send you out an info pack, maps of the area and a registration form. You will need to attend at least one on site demonstration of safe removal of noxious weeds / disposal methods / and application of herbicides.
I've just finished registration in my local National Park, I now am awaiting my ID which will let me "dispose" of noxious weeds from the National Park. In order to dispose of them you may hold them in a secure place..... (Like my backyard).
Dear Mitchell
I have been passed your enquiry regarding Bushcare at... Thankyou for your interest in Bushcare and offer of assistance. As a volunteer you would carry a Volunteer Identification card issued to all volunteers under the volunteer agreement (attached), which permits the volunteer to remove environmental and noxious weeds from the park using approved techniques. If you give me your mailing address I can send you an information pack with a map of the park, a copy of our most recent bushcare newsletter, Regenevitis, and some information on bush regeneration in ..., in the post.
I have also attached a list of the current Bushcare groups in Groupsum.doc, which work in the park. There are currently around 200 volunteers that regularly work various sites around the park and any assistance they can get is welcomed, and the valuable contribution they give to bush regeneration in ... River Valley is appreciated by both us here at the National Park and those at the Council. I’ve also attached our volunteer registration forms which you will need to complete and get back to me. You are more than welcome to join more than one group and the amount of commitment you can give is totally up to you, though volunteers who undertake more than 50 hours in a year are eligible for a complimentary all parks pass. I can also add you to an email list for regular updates on what’s happening with the park and the Bushcare program if you wish.
If you let me know when you are likely to give us a hand with the privet I will try to get along as well to help out and give you a safety briefing and demonstrate removal techniques including use of herbicide where necessary. It has been a while since I have caught up with them on site and I wasn’t aware they required more weed bags but I can supply those and any other equipment you need.
Please give me a call if you have any questions, and I look forward to catching up with you on site sometime soon.
Regards
Matt
Matt Springall
Senior Field Officer (Bush Regeneration)
