Identification and control of weeds

In 2014, Mbabaram and Tableland Yidinji Traditional Owners joined forces to carry out several projects  water quality project including the Yellow-bellied Glider management project in the Mount Baldy area. The Wet Tropics Management Authority supported the above projects by providing funding for weeds training.

The identification and controle of weeds was an essential skill for the trainees to learn for better management of their Country. A weed is any plant that grows where it is not wanted. Weeds can overtake an area affecting its natural ecosystem, the economy, human health and amenity.

Participants applied their weed training to the Yellow-bellied Glider habitat at Mount Baldy.  They used their new weed information to formulate a plan to help reduce weed spread and mitigate weeds associated with certain feeding trees of the Yellow-bellied Gliders. The project achieved the ability of participants to increase their cultural and natural awareness, identify invasive weed species, map weed locations, how to record and take weed samples, and steps to manage Country and its biodiversity.

A weed workshop was also conducted at Barney Springs (Yidinji Country) where at least 25% of the plants there were identified as exotic weeds. Participants surveyed the area to put their new weed ID skills into practice.