Environmental Weed Removal by Volunteers

Over the last few years that the Friends of Rogers Reserve Group has been active, the weeds that were present at the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve have been markedly reduced thanks to the groups efforts and that of the Green Army.

Friends of Rogers Reserve Group member, Greg Lukes has been leading the way in environmental weed eradication at the reserve and has been sharing his knowledge on the most effective ways to manage these pests.

For those interested in finding out more, or learning onsite, you can attend a Friends of Rogers Reserve Group Weeding Working Bee onsite each, 3rd Friday of the month at 9am.

Greg and the team have been working hard to target areas containing weed species that we know spread quickly if left to do their own thing.

High priority species include:

• Mossman River Grass (any spiky seeds need to be carefully removed into bin) (check clothing regularly for hitch hiker seeds)
• Cobblers pegs (especially along the main track, approach tracks and entrances to avoid the being spread by visitors) (all plant, flowers and any spiky seeds need to be removed into bin) (check clothing regularly for hitch hiker seeds)
• Paspalum grass (any seeds need to be removed into bin) (check clothing regularly for hitch hiker seeds)Tall fleabane (seed heads need to be removed into bin)
• Pavonia (any seed pods need to be removed into bin) (each seed pod contains 5 seeds that are likely to germinate if left on the ground)
• White Moth vine (any seed pods need to be removed into bin)
• Climbing asparagus (any seeds need to be removed into bin)
• Basket fern (any seeds need to be removed into bin)
• Wandering Jew (1 patch along O'Brien Road near the Clarke Road intersection) (may require raking)
• Spinyhead Sida Sida acuta (any seeds need to be removed into bin)
• African love grass (mainly along Polzin Road) (any seeds need to be removed into bin)etc.

Other slower spreading weeds include:

• Lantana (good target weed for younger more energetic volunteers) (once the roots are removed from the soil, plant material and any seeds can be left on the ground) (to germinate, the seeds would need to go through a bird gut)
• Creeping Lantana Lantana montevidensis (May need raking or spraying)
• Easter Cassia (any seed pods need to be removed into bin)
• Privet (once the roots are removed from the soil, plant material and any seeds can be left on the ground) (to germinate, the seeds would need to go through a bird gut)
• CeltisPalm trees (council to cut down) (1.5m lengths could provide good seating logs at intervals along the main track) (Seeds to be collected by volunteers if required.)
• Tree pear etc

Thanks to Greg for co-ordinating these events and for caring so much for the dry rainforest bushland in suburban Highfields.

J.G.