Welcome to our final Weeds and Rabbits Project’s newsletter for 2018. 

Below you can read about some of the recent initiatives each of our partners have led with support from the project.

Our featured video looks at the impact of our Master Class on volunteers and professionals who work to build community action on invasive species.

Support for those working with the community will be a key driver for our youth engagement work in 2019. The initiative will provide specialised training and funding to ensure youth voices are included in invasive species management. We’ll be seeking participants in early 2019.

Merry Christmas from the project team, and we look forward to continuing working with you in 2019.

The Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) hosted another successful rabbit management training program in November for 19 participants from across Victorian community groups and agencies.

The Leadership in Rabbit Management course is designed to upskill individuals in best practice rabbit control – knowledge they can take back to their communities and workplaces to improve how rabbits are managed.

Facilitated by VRAN mentors and Agriculture Victoria staff who are recognised experts in rabbit management and community-led action, the course covered the ecology and biology of rabbits, Victoria’s legislation framework, and the steps to deliver an effective and sustainable integrated rabbit control program.

For participants, one of the major benefits of attending was opportunity to establish networks with others facing similar rabbit management challenges. The group plan to meet again in the coming months for further field visits and expert training.

The course will be run again in early 2019 and places are limited. Community members interested in applying to attend can contact VRAN Executive Officer Heidi Kleinert.

Photo: Participants at the rabbit management course taking part in a warren ripping demonstration in the Strathbogie Ranges.

The Victorian Gorse Taskforce is supporting six local councils and groups to build community members’ skills in mapping invasive species and biodiversity.

Free forums on the Atlas of Living Australia citizen science mapping portal will be hosted by each organisation, to showcase the applications of the portal for on-ground control and monitoring, and for strategic project planning.

The host organisations are the shire councils of Indigo, Hepburn and Greater Geelong, Bass Coast and Moorabool Catchment Landcare groups, and Southwest Environmental Alliance.

If you’re interested in attending any of the forums, visit the VGT website.

The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party has updated the Best Practice Management Guide – the bible for serrated tussock management.

The new guide features improved images, updated data on serrated tussock distribution, and more information on proven management techniques.

VSTWP Executive Officer Martin Deering said the guide is a one-stop shop for serrated tussock management.

“It has information on how to identify serrated tussock, how and when to control it, as well as how to prevent it spreading to your property," Martin said.

Download the guide from the VSTWP website, or email info@serratedtussock.com to request a hardcopy.

Photo: A snapshot from the updated Serrated Tussock Management Guide

Support from the Weeds and Rabbits Project has enabled the VBT to deliver a range of blackberry control information products to the Victorian community.

The Community Pest Management Groups Forum in 2017 identified a gap in the VBT’s engagement process which led to the development of a Communication Strategy in 2018.

Working with a team of communications specialists, a Strategy and Implementation Plan was prepared to understand the best way to communicate with our diverse communities about blackberry control.

The local government information package is almost complete. The VBT will host a session in early 2019 to engage with interface councils and provide material for distribution to their landholders, to assist with blackberry control.

The Communication Plan is being used to design a range of resources for different target audiences to ensure everyone can access information relevant to their situation. 

Find out more about VBT activities on the VBT website.