Weed Management Branch hosts Charles Darwin University students
Weed Management Branch recently hosted Charles Darwin University students studying their Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management.
The group learned about the Gamba Action Program and spray equipment loans and the Top End gamba compliance program. Officers also discussed the cabomba eradication program in Darwin River, including the history of cabomba infestation in the river and treatment methods used to control this aquatic weed.
The students then moved on to the weeds compound at Berrimah. Siam Weed Project Officer Joshua Maeer and Biocontrol Officer Gerald Danao described the Siam weed containment and biological control programs. Students got up close and personal with Siam weed plants and their nemesis ‘Cesi’ the gall fly. Gerald explained how he establishes populations of Cesi and then releases them in the wild with the aim of building up numbers in the natural environment to assist with the control of Siam weed.
The students asked many questions and were genuinely interested in the variety of work that the Weed Branch is involved in. The feedback from the students was very positive and hopefully this information session has opened up career pathways and options for students wanting to pursue a career in land management.
At the end of the session students were gifted educational material on weed identification and control. As we all know, education is the key!
