Nature Conservation Margaret River Region launches an exciting new initiative aimed at caring for the Margaret River, with a packed 12-month calendar of events to inspire and educate locals about the iconic waterway.

The Friends of Wooditjup Bilya (Margaret River) December program will feature a woody weed workshop with Nature Conservation biodiversity officer, Mike Griffiths, followed by hands on woody weed control along the Wooditjup Bilya foreshore.

Woody weeds have been introduced as ornamental garden plants, for fruit production or other agricultural use and have escaped from gardens and farms and are invading creeklines, forests, woodlands and coastal areas. Many of these plants are fast growing, hardy and highly adaptable. They have highly successful reproductive and seed dispersal mechanisms, including abundant seed production, seeds that remain viable for many years, and fruit and seeds that are attractive to birds and mammals. Many also have the ability to spread by vegetative means, such as rhizomes, bulbs and corms. They often have few predators or diseases to keep them under control in their new habitat.

Woody weeds impact on the values of remnant vegetation by out competing native plants for space, water and nutrients, changing and simplifying the composition of vegetation communities and reducing their value as habitat for native animals. Invasive environmental weeds present one of the most serious threats to biodiversity in the Margaret River region.

But there is hope! The Friends of the Wooditjup Bilya will work to develop skills in identifying and controlling woody weeds to stop the spread. Biodiversity officer, Mike Griffiths says “Recent surveys along the river have shown that woody weeds are a far greater threat than realised, but awareness is the biggest hope. The more local people who can identify them, the more hope there is to control them and safeguard this beautiful and fragile environment.”

Get familiar with the woody weeds impacting the Margaret River and gain confidence in how to identify and control them. In this hands-on and practical session, participants will learn about:

the impact of Woody Weeds on our bushland and wildlife;
how to effectively identify weeds from natives; and;
effective control strategies and methods.

The workshop will include a mix of talking, walking and practical demonstration in the foreshore reserve. We will bring a range of plant samples along for identification purposes and encourage participants to bring photos or samples of species they are unsure of. Come along to learn how you can protect the Wooditjup Bilya by identifying and controlling Woody Weeds before they spread!

After the workshop, join us for the work! Friends of Wooditjup Bilya volunteers will have a chance to get their hands dirty and put some of their new-found knowledge to the test, by hand pulling woody weeds which threaten to invade the Wooditjup Bilya. Learn what they are and importantly, how to get them under control and protect this precious riparian zone. Be part of the restoration!

Want to join us?

Meet at the start of the Horseford River Track (~100m from the Doyle Place/ Kevill West intersection) at 9:30am Thursday 7th December.

For more information contact: Lauren Scanlon, Friends of Wooditjup Bilya coordinator, at lauren.scanlon@natureconservation.org.au

Please note: Tickets are limited so register now. These events are very popular and there is a waiting list so please let us know if you can't make it!

This Friends of the Wooditjup Bilya is funded by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River through the Environmental Management Fund. The woody weeds workshop is funded by WA Government's State Natural Resource Management Program.