Cats Claw Creeper, Dolichandra unguis-cati is a vigorous woody vine with showy yellow flowers that smothers host trees. It is difficult to control, particularly along steep river banks, and is impacting our native riparian vegetation along the banks of the Upper Manning River, where it has rapidly spread in recent years.

This field day will give practical advice about how to approach this problematic weed, with a range of experts providing information and demonstrations of integrated weed management strategies, including how to prioritise your efforts. Methodologies such as hand control methods, chemical control and biological control agents will be discussed and demonstrated.

Chris Scott (Sustainable Natural Resources Group) will give a walk-and-talk along the banks of the Manning River, with an overview of the weed, the problem it presents in a riparian setting and a demonstration of how undertake Cut-and-Paint where curtains of the vine threaten native trees. Chris will talk about the history of managing this (and other) weeds at Blakehurst and RAFF, two properties on the Manning River, funded by both the MEMS and River Revival programs through LLS and Council.

The MidCoast Council Weeds team will share information about chemical control options in sensitive riparian settings; locally funded programs and critical advice on the latest developments in Biological Control Agents for CCC. You will also be able to sign up for an allocation of these biological control agents on the day.

Also presenting at the event will be staff from Council's Natural Systems team, LLS, Landcare and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust on how landholders can access funding for riparian restoration via both the River Revival and MEMS programs, and how Private Land Conservation options can support landholders undertaking habitat improvements on their land.

The address will be provided after registration.

The field day is free to landholders in the MidCoast area, but MidCoast 2 Tops Landcare reserves the right to charge a fee for consultants and others at it's discretion.

This event is possible thanks to the shared work of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and Landcare NSW under the Private Land Conservation Matters project.