News
FIDO Revving up Weed Replacement Operations at Eurong
John Sinclair, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation
During the past year FIDO has made an impressive impact in addressing the weeds at Eurong with three weeding weeks in the last year contributing 723 volunteer hours working on the problem in one of Fraser Island’s centres of weed infestation.
One of 17 trailer loads of weeds and garden waste that went to the Eurong waste transfer station during FIDO’s May weed replacement trip
Progress With The George Haddock Memorial Walk
John Bristow, National Parks Association of Queensland
We have not been communicating very regularly lately. Now is the time to give you an update and refresh your memory on the background of this vision. We have almost completed the EIS for this George Haddock Track as it is being labelled in the report. (more…)
QPWS Update
John Stewart, Senior Ranger – Fraser Island, QPWS
Lake McKenzie shoreline after initial infrastructure removal in August.
On the 15th of September, Ranger In Charge for Southern Fraser, Kim Fleischfresser, and I joined community members, including representatives of the Fraser Island Association and the Fraser Coast 4WD Club, for the OceanWatch clean up day.
QPWS Update
Lou Coles, Community Engagement Ranger – Great Sandy, QPWS
The everlasting paper daisy is now flowering in coastal areas
In the last couple of months I have picked up where Alana left off in supporting FINIA. It’s great to be involved with the positive action occurring on the Island due to the dynamic group of people and stakeholders that FINIA has become. In addition to administration and facilitation I have been learning the ropes of the nursery and absorbing as much as I can from Michael Lowe in regard to seed collection and plant propagation of our local Fraser Island species – and we do have some beautiful plant species on Fraser Island that will look fantastic in residential gardens.
Fraser Island Community Weed Replacement Program Takes Shape
Coastal banksias coming through the shadehouse now, soon to be hardened ready for planting into gardens or revegetaion on Fraser Island
Michael Lowe, Environmental Services / Cooloola Coastcare Association Incorporated
Work has now begun to replace a host of exotic plant species at Eurong with locally sourced and grown indigenous native species from the Island. The project funded by the Australian Government Caring for our Country, will be managed by the Fraser Island Defender’s Organisation on behalf of FINIA. (more…)
From the Eurong nursery
Bree Jashin, Vice President FIA, FINIA Representative FIA & Alana Kippers, QPWS
New trellis at a Happy Valley property (photo by Bree Jashin)
Although growth has slowed over the colder months, plant stock is high at the Eurong nursery. There are approximately 340 plants ready for planting, 1580 plants in the shade house and 40 trays of seed in the hot house. The Fraser Island community is really starting to come on board with plant requests starting to come through from all over the Island.
The Happy Valley community is showing itself as it has taken very well to the concept of local Fraser Island plants for their gardens. (more…)
CVA Nature Wise, Scat Collection
Alana Kippers, QPWS
Jane, a CVA volunteer, collecting dingo scats on Fraser Island’s Eastern Beach (Photo by Jono Bateman)
The scat collection study is continuing after the first batch of scats (172) have been independently analysed.
The Conservation Volunteers, Nature Wise program commenced their second program on Fraser Island on May 15. The program had four participants, with Jono Bateman as the program leader. NRM QPWS rangers John, Gordon and Linda assisted the group in the collection of the scats and provided vital information on Fraser Island dingoes and the scat study.
Lessons from Japan on World Heritage quarantine
John Sinclair, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation
Quarantine sign (Photo by John Sinclair)
The first thing anyone notices before they enter any building in Shiretoko World Heritage area are the quarantine measures. These measures are not limited to Shiretoko. Every National Park or Ramsar Site Visitor Centre made everyone very aware of bringing pests into the protected areas they were visiting. One has to stand on a mat to disinfect the soles of one’s footwear. There are signs warning people not to carry alien seeds with them past the entry point. These very innovative ways certainly raised public awareness on the threat of invasive weeds and other pests entering the parks. (more…)
Tick Alert!
Bree Jashin, Vice President FIA, FINIA Representative FIA
Over the last two years with the damp/deluge conditions from La Niña, South East Queensland has seen the explosion in the prevalence of ticks and tick bites causing domestic animal deaths and potentially causing harm to humans.
Weed Profile – Easter cassia
Flowering Easter cassia
Easter cassia, Senna pendula var. glabrata, is native to South America. The shrubs are easy to spot this time of year as they are in flower. This weed is not classified under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002, however it is classified as an environmental weed by the Fraser Coast Regional Council. (more…)
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