Weed Education at Urunga Wetland
Weed Education at Urunga Wetland
To address the impacts of invasive weeds Urunga Residents participated in a walk and talk workshop
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MEPAAW2‐NC‐01
The issue
The Urunga Wetlands are and Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) Freshwater Wetlands on Coastal Floodplains. In the Urunga urban area they form part of a high value contiguous coastal corridor with the watercourse and significant expanses of native vegetation running through the wetlands and a large saltmarsh lagoon to Bellinger and Kalang River estuaries. Residents have been dumping garden waste in the wetland margins and this has resulted in infestations of weed tree species including Coral Trees (Erythrina x sykesii) and Cocos Palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) as well as Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii), Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) and Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum pinnatum) amongst others.
The solution
Invasive species are listed as a key threatening process for coastal wetlands and the additional EECs and threatened species occuring in the area. Project publicity targeted Urunga residents, particularly those living in close proximity to the wetland. The workshop took the the form of a walk which highlighted the important ecological role of wetlands including as fauna habitat. A representative from Birdlife North Coast NSW spoke about birds as the group walked around the inspiring boardwalk overlooking expanses of water populated by water birds. Then a second walk and talk was presented by a professional bush regenerator who described the importance of healthy native vegetation and the damaging impact of invasive weed species.
The impact
28 Urunga Residents with many living in close proximity to the wetland came along on the walk and listened with enthusiasm to the presentation. Many questions were asked about birds, native plants and weed species. The workshop was successful in educating a number of residents who previously did not realise the role that they are actively playing in dispersing weed species some of which had been planted by residents along the roadside opposite their houses which also forms the wetland margin. Participants later enjoyed afternoon tea during which a number of them were very keen to commence monthly working bees to address the weed problem. The working bees are due to commence in October 2019.
Key facts
- Invasive species are listed as a key threatening process for the Urunga coastal freshwater wetland EEC
- 28 Urunga Residents with many living in close proximity to the wetland participated in the workshop
- Over 80% participants reported improved knowledge of the impacts of invasive weeds
- New monthly working bees are commencing with Urunga Landcare group to address the weed problem