VOLUNTEERS TRAINED TO SPOT SERIOUS NEW WEEDS

MEDIA RELEASE

Weed surveillance in Tasmania got a boost today as volunteers from the Tasmanian Weed Alert Network got some hands-on training to identify serious new weeds.
The Tasmanian Herbarium and the Tasmanian Weed Alert Network teamed up to show the Networks volunteers a range of serious new target weeds, as well as practice collecting quality specimens in the field.
The Tasmanian Weed Alert Network is on the look out for around 40 serious new weeds in Tasmania. Because these plants arent widespread, most people have never seen them here before, Tasmanian Weed Alert Network Project Officer Jonah Gouldthorpe explained.
Our volunteers told us that they wanted training to help them recognize our target weeds. The Tasmanian Herbarium kindly opened up its doors to show us real specimens of the weeds we are looking out for, Jonah Gouldthorpe explained.
As well as being able to recognize target weeds, the Tasmanian Weed Alert Network volunteers also need to be able to collect good quality weed specimens, with flowers or seeds. This helps experts to positively identity those weeds in the lab.
When one of our volunteers sees a target weed, we need them to collect a good specimen so that we can be sure of what were dealing with. Todays training reinforced that we need specimens of whole plants, with flowers or seeds, Jonah Gouldthorpe said.
The Tasmanian Weed Alert Network is funded by the Tasmanian Community Fund.
Any person who wants more information about the Tasmanian Weed Alert Network can contact the Tasmanian Conservation Trust on 6234 3552.
Jonah Gouldthorpe Tasmanian Conservation Trust