Asparagus weeds - Weeds Australia

Once smothered by A. aethiopicus, ground cover plants now growbeneath old casuarinas and trees are starting to regenerateplanting hole to act as a dam wall. The aim is toinsulate the roots and give the plant stability bytrapping sand. A temporary jute mesh is also beingused to hold the dune structure.Follow-up monitoring and control: make theeffort worthwhileFollow-up weeding is critically important as seedcontinues to spread from nearby suburbia. Thegroup revisits each site a month after weeding, thentwice per year, to remove any new weed seedlingsand monitor natural regeneration. They also revisitspecifically at flowering times. To minimise futurespread, the group collects any asparagus seedladen fronds and G. superba seed pods they find inadjoining areas.‘Be patient. If you look for quick results, you’ll bedisappointed.’Raising community awareness andunderstandingGrants also enabled the group to developcommunity awareness products. Volunteersapplied 1000 weed identification stickers to eachwheelie bin in Sunshine Beach and these have onlybeen removed from two known bins to date. TheNoosa Shire Council considered the wheelie binstickers to be so successful that they have printed2000 more stickers and provided them to othercommunity groups across the region.The group also erected weed identification signsat the reserve entrances and they wear T-shirtsidentifying their group when they are workingin the reserve. They stop and talk to gardenSunshine Beach Bushland Care volunteers working to restore thedegraded dunes at Sunshine Beachcontractors working in nearby residences andpeople walking in the reserve and generally receivea positive response. They also deliver newsletters tokeep the community informed and have produceda informational DVD.Since the program began, many new people havevolunteered their time to help, including schoolgroups looking to provide community services.With a committed, core group of about 15 people,and another 50 or so less frequent volunteers, theyare able to keep a close eye on the site and rapidlyrespond to emerging weeds or other issues.‘The only way it’s going to get done is withcommunity volunteers.’Taking a step back to see what they’veachieved!While they acknowledge that management is avery long-term process, the group is already beingrewarded with positive results. The project providesthem with good exercise, good camaraderieand a sense of worth in doing something for thecommunity and for environmental resilience.‘…when the sand goannas, skinks and coucalpheasants return and move through the previouslyimpenetrable areas it is very satisfying. Whenthe wrens and finches chatter in the grasses andunderstorey it makes you smile, but when theblack cockatoos can eat banksias and casuarinanuts from trees we have grown from seed… itmakes your heart glad.’ Jill Campbell, SunshineBeach Bushland Care.92