I know that all the photos I have taken are invasive weeds and you can see by the size of them they have been there for a number of years. Over the past 20 years I have written to every environment minister about the poor management and neglect of the nature reserves. Weeds have the most detrimental effect on biodiversity I have witnessed this over the years. Nothing has improved in fact loss of species is accelerating. The Government has money to shoot kangaroos each year and then pay contractors for mowing because of lack of grazing has created a fire hazard but does nothing to mitigate invasive weeds. I hope by posting on Nature map something might happen, but I won't hold my breath.
Weed management is prioritised. When the high risk Erica lusitania was recorded on Farrer Ridge it was quickly controlled. Woody weeds are not a high priority but their removal is supported through the ACT Government providing volunteers with chemicals, tools and in some cases will take the cut material away. There has also been a long history of community groups applying for and receiving grants to support their removal of woody weeds or for them to pay a contractor to do this. The ACT Government does do a lot re weed control but they also need our help. Perhaps in this case the pen s not as mighty as the bow saw and mattock and chemical dabber.
I remember that Erica you asked Steve Taylor to remove it and I asked him to remove the other 23 weeds in the same area. I thought you told me you did it yourself in the end. All the weeds are still there. I was a member of park care and originally the ranger would come and bring equipment and supervise. Then we had to pick up equipment at depot and drop off equipment. But all the bags full of seedheads were supposed to be picked up and mostly they were left to rot. It is hard for people over 70 to tackle large weeds in infestations. They have a large number of staff developing websites telling everyone what a great job they are doing and in reality, the reserves deteriorate more each year. They should employ people in field work not desk work!
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