Check out the amazing difference a few dedicated and hard-working volunteers can achieve in only two hours! This is the patch of land that runs along 8 Mile Creek near Thurgoona.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woody weeds in this area include things like privet, cherry plum, hawthorn, briar rose, honey locust, and olive. Removing weeds such as this is a top priority for Parklands as they often out-compete native species and form monocultures which are bad news for biodiversity. So what can you do to help if you can’t get to one of our stewardship mornings?

It all starts with being aware of what you’re planting in your own garden. These woody weeds are probably all ‘garden escapees’ – plants that have spread beyond the garden they were originally planted in.

This can happen in a variety of ways that are not caused by people such as through the dispersal of seeds on the wind or by birds or other animals carrying the seeds. That’s why it’s really important to check the potential for any new plant to become a weed before you buy! The Gardens 4 Wildlife – Albury Wodonga Facebook page is a good one to follow if you’re after local tips on what to plant (and what to avoid)!

But what if you already have invasive weeds in your garden and you want to replace them? The composting process of organic waste in our green-lidded bins eliminates the risks posed by weeds, so it’s safe to dispose of them there… UNLESS they have recently been treated with poisons.

Another way weeds can spread is through the illegal dumping of green waste, so make sure you dispose of this correctly.

And if you do want to help get rid of some weeds in our local parks and reserves, check out our Events page for all of our Community Stewardship Mornings!