Conference 2003
Greening the City:
Bringing Biodiversity Back
into the Urban Environment
Abstract:
Weed
Awareness and Encouraging Community Participation in Weed Control
Initiatives
Wendy Baker (Environment B·O·P)
When weeds invade . the
whole Biodiversity 'scene' can get out of whack!!!!
Yes, we need to encourage
people to see the 'the bigger picture' about the effects that weed
invasion can have on upsetting our beautifully balanced biodiversity
areas.
It is not only the native
plant communities, within the urban environment, that are continually
threatened by the invasion of environmental weeds, but also human
health can be affected by some pesky pest plants!
Because urban environments
are usually heavily built-up there are many opportunities for weeds
to 'escape' from areas of human activity into reserve and native
areas. Therefore it is important to educate people on the whole
process of what a weed is and how it 'acts' within our
environment.
With Weed Awareness campaigns
we are aiming at a what, why, when and where
education exercise:
- 'What is a weed?': Helping people to identify,
and understand about, specific problem weeds within their area
(backyard/suburb);
- 'Why control weeds?': Explaining 'why' specific
weeds are detrimental to the environment;
- 'When and how do you control weeds?': Explaining,
and showing if practicable, how to control different weed species
at the appropriate times of the year, relevant to the weed
species;
- 'Where do you dispose of weeds?': Helping people understand
the importance of disposing weeds appropriately within the urban
environment. (i.e. composting, green waste facility).
One
community weed initiative and incentive scheme that Environment
Bay Of Plenty has co-ordinated since 1999 is 'The Privet Replacement
Project'.
The free native plant
replacement scheme has been successful due to the generous ongoing
sponsorship from local nursery Naturally Native New Zealand Ltd. It has also
involved local volunteers.
Over the past four years,
hundreds of Privet plants have been removed by Tauranga/Mount Maunganui
residential property owners who have been rewarded with up to 12
free native plant replacements.
The incentive scheme
has major environmental benefits to the community because it encourages
property owners to remove an invasive pest plant and replace it
with an 'environmentally friendly' alternative.
As well as being invasive
weeds/pest plants Tree Privet (Ligustrum lucidum) and Chinese
Privet (Ligustrum sinense) species also generate a lot of
public enquiries, from the Tauranga urban populated area, during
their flowering seasons (September-March), because of their pollen
and scent, which may contribute to allergies such as hay fever (although
this has not been clinically proven).
By continually promoting
the awareness of weeds, and developing innovative ways in which
to do so, we will encourage more people to understand that (as the
Australian WeedBuster slogan goes):
"Weed Prevention
is the intention — give weeds the boot before they take root!"
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