by | Oct 18, 2017 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
The Green Skills Albany office held a Think Tank workshop on Monday 16th October with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and City of Albany to discuss eradicating and /or containing Senecio glastifolius to the Albany region.
Strategies include:
- maintenance and follow control programs for new developments and fire management practice sites
- conducting large plot trialls to assess the seed germination response from various temperature burns and
- chemical applications at different phases of plant growth such as the use of low rates at flowering to kill off the seed set.
Senecio glastifolius in flower
Senecio glastifolius was spread to Mt Clarence from a home garden before 1986*, and has spread to many areas, with the highest priority along the coastline in Sandpatch Reserve. Originally from South Africa, senecio outcompetes our native species, spreading seed on the summer easterlies along the south coast.
Green Skills has been targeting Senecio for over 10 years and is currently supported with funding provided by State NRM. Over 800 hectares is currently being treated and monitored through the use of Ecojobs staff, Work for the Dole participants and Green Army trainees.
by Rachel | Oct 18, 2017 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Our last Green Army team graduated in Albany last Thursday. What a cheerful and cohesive crew. That’s the end of the Green Army program for us as it stands, as the Federal Government has discontinued this program. Here are just some of the varied and valuable environmental projects this last team contributed to.
The crew near the start of the program, in their shiny orange gear.
The happy graduates last week holding their certificates.
Carrying decking to trails at Two People’s Bay.
This team alone planted over 25 000 trees during the 26 week program.
Erosion control in Cheynes Beach National Park.
Green Army crew representing Green Skills at the Youth Conference in the Albany Entertainment Centre.
Plum tuckered out!
Green Skills looks forward to continuing to work with young people in the environment in other capacities in the future. If you’re an ex-Green Army participant, or you know someone who is, please nudge them over to our survey page at the link below so we can shape future programs! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JPV8CBN
by Basil | Oct 10, 2017 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Denmark Wetland and River Care
Wetland & Sanctuary Field-day & Busy Bee 1.30 pm to 4pm Monday 9th October 2017
15 participants jointed in a fun practical, hands-on and educational afternoon based around the unique Sanctuary building and its Gondwana Garden in Denmark. This site is located on the Denmark High School grounds close to wetlands and foreshore plantings along the Denmark-Kwoorabup River. The afternoon helped care for this much loved public facility and open space
Diane Harwood and Bob Fenwick from the Denmark Weed Action group provided guidance and advice on the management of weeds and rehabilitated foreshore areas on this beautiful section of the river
This event was supported by South Coast NRM’s Regional Facilitator’s Community Small Grants Programme with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. The event was also part of Green Skills’ wetland and biodiversity conservation activities that have received funding from the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program, supported by Royalties for Regions. The Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee has also endorsed this event.
Diane Harwood of DWAG discussing weed control at the Denmark High School wetland 9 October 2017 Picture by Basil Schur
The Green Army and other volunteers helping with maintaining the landscape areas around the Sanctuary. 9 October 2017
Diane Harwood of Denmark Weed Action Group leading participants on a tour o the Denmark High School wetland 9 October 2017 Picture by Basil Schur
by Laura | Aug 22, 2017 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Did you know that September 1st each year is National Wattle Day? Initiated as a way to celebrate our floral emblem and all things Australian, Green Skills Inc’s Albany office are adding a different twist to National Wattle Day this year.
For a limited time only during the month of September, if you remove invasive eastern states wattle species from your garden, Green Skills will give you some FREE local replacements!
Invasive eastern states wattles look beautiful, but taken together they are the worst environmental weeds in the Albany area – threatening our unique and irreplaceable bushland throughout the southern region, which is part of the only internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot in Australia.
By far the worst offender is Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia). It’s highly invasive, grows into dense thickets which outcompete other species and exudes chemicals from its roots which inhibit the growth of other plants.
Southern Regional TAFE students have been hard at work growing local native plant seedlings as part of their studies, and as a result Green Skills is delighted to be able to offer FREE local Acacia seedlings as a replacement for invasive eastern states wattles to Albany area residents.
This initiative launches on September 1st to celebrate National Wattle Day and runs throughout September – contact the Albany Green Skills office to register your interest, seedlings will be distributed at the end of the month. Numbers of seedlings will be limited per property and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
For further information on Swap-A-Weedy-Wattle September, weedy wattle identification, removal and upcoming community events please contact:
Rosie Smith, Weedy Wattle Coordinator
Green Skills Albany Office
08 9842 1334
0401 578002
[email protected]
And check out the Weedy Wattles Action Group Albany Facebook page
Go to http://www.wattleday.asn.au/ for more info on National Wattle Day
This project is supported by Royalties for Regions
by Laura | Aug 9, 2017 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
DATE CHANGE FOR ALBANY CORAKI HOLIDAY COTTAGES SYDNEY WATTLE BUSY BEE
Previously listed as Monday 14th August, we’re now running this event on Tues 15th August from 9.30am -12.30pm. Keen to come along? There’s lunch in it for you!
Learn about invasive Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia), why it’s such a threat to our region’s biodiversity and how to remove it. The Green Army internship crew will be there too and a BBQ lunch will be provided courtesy of Coraki Holiday Cottages managers.
Call Rosie Smith, Green Skills Albany Weedy Wattle Coordinator on 0401 578002 or 9842 1334 for further details and to RSVP by Mon 14th August.
