In May this year I attended the bi annual Pest Animal and Weed Symposium which is a three day conference to discuss and showcase current management strategies and outcomes for invasive weeds and animals in Queensland.
Attended by about 150 people, organised by Invasive Species Queensland and hosted this year by the Gladstone Area Water Board, I was privileged to be a part of a very informative and well run event.
Monday evening was Registration and Official welcome with a trade show that ran for the length of the conference.
Tuesday was held in the Gladstone Entertainment Centre and was a series of speakers covering control measures, management and outcomes of a host of topics from Gamba grass and Catsclaw Creeper to Tilapia fish, dogs that can detect weeds just by smell, feral deer, pigs, rabbits, Electric Ants and Indian Minors to name a few.
All levels of participation were represented – local group coordinators, Local Council and Landcare Groups, National Regeneration and Feral Control Organisations, Biosecurity Queensland. I then attended the Invasive Species Qld dinner and met with people from Ecosure (a bush regeneration and feral control group) and other delegates.
Wednesday saw three different field trips in the area. The one I took visited Awoonga Dam and fish hatchery where we saw massive barramundi and mangrove jacks and learned how important their roles in the Awoonga system are.
Then onto the Gladstone Area Water Board work area to see their weed management, drone demonstrations for chemical spraying and feral management, a demonstration from Rapid Spray and discussion on feral animal control in the water board property.
It was a huge day and at the Gala Dinner that night I met the team from QLD National Parks who were happy to share their stories or remote feral animal and weed management management with me.
Thursday we were back to the Convention Centre for more speakers and demonstrations and finished at 4.00 pm.
Things I found interesting…
The knowledge sharing and approachability of all people attending wether they were presenting at the seminar, trade stand holders or attendees like me , they all had a common goal and were eager to share and compare strategies, results and ongoing work in their fields.
People there were passionate about their work and professional in their roles.
There is a big push for total control of invasive pests over a longer timeframe rather than wasting money on a short term fix.
Lantana is being controlled by a species of rust.
Catsclaw Creeper is being controlled by a leaf miner insect.
Giant Rats Tail Grass can de choked out with Signal Grass
Rabbits and feral dogs- there were more exclusion fences in 1899 thean there is today
Monitoring feral animals with thermal drones
To name a few…
A great location with a very informative and educational symposium.