Managing Priority Weeds to Protect Biodiversity

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO MANAGE YOUR WEEDS?

The Guest Speaker at our next get-together will be Sonja Elwood, Senior Invasive Species Officer, Bushland & Biodiversity for Northern Beaches Council, where she will discuss how weed management and biodiversity protection is challenging on the Northern Beaches, a region with a population of 260,000 and a diverse range of land use types ranging from urban, peri-urban, rural and natural bushland.

Our LGA is home to an extensive number of bushland reserves (300+) which provide habitat for over 500 native species and over 70 threatened flora and fauna species (and invasive predators such as rabbits and foxes) and 12 threatened ecological vegetation communities.  The region also contains a variety of differing environments from coastal ocean foreshores and headlands, estuaries and lagoons, freshwater wetlands, creek lines, bushland reserves, and islands.

Given the diversity of land uses, tenures and sizes, the Northern Beaches LGA presents a unique setting for priority weed management. Habitat fragmentation, intensification of development and a generally misunderstood legislative framework give rise to a range of complex challenges that require an adaptive approach and a suite of management tools.

Sonja’s presentation will provide a snapshot of the life of an invasive species officer working in this region and will be followed by a Q&A.

DATE: Tuesday 16 June

TIME: 7PM – 8.30PM

LOCATION: The Manly Club on Gilbert Park.

Grab a drink or have dinner beforehand then join us in The Lounge.