Weed Warriors is a national education and awareness program that challenges students within and beyond the classroom.
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Sandy Creek Primary School
Students surrounding the rearing
cage full of Bridal Creeper and
Leaf Hoppers
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The 4 to 8 week program is designed to engage students in Key Learning Areas through its hands-on approach, and uses biological control agents as the vehicle to introduce weed studies into the school curricula. The students raise biological control agents in the classroom and learn about the impacts of weeds, and different control techniques, before releasing the agents into a local weed infestation.
Key contacts and mentors, such as local Natural Resources Management Officers, support teachers in the delivery of the program, answer students’ questions about the local environment and help students develop skills in natural resource management.
The program strives to not only raise awareness, but to build communities and a new generation of land managers that are capable of dealing with the challenges that confront them. Weeds affect us all. They cost primary producers in excess of $4.4 billion dollars per year in lost production, are causing immeasurable damage to our natural environment, affect human health, contaminate water supplies and increase fire hazards. We all have a part to play in the solution.
In the not too distant future our children will inherit these significant environmental challenges. Weed Warriors recognises children as the land managers of the very near future and aims to instil in them a sense of connection to and responsibility for their natural surroundings, which is critical for bringing about lasting change.
Weed warriors in South Australia
Introduced to South Australia in 2003 through the CRC for Australian Weed Management and the Animal and Plant Control Commission, there are now 33 schools participating in the Greater Adelaide Region, and many more throughout South Australia. The year levels of students involved range from reception to year 9, with years 11 and 12 also participating in monitoring.
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Eva Kalinowski (ranger for Anstey Hill
Recreation Park) presenting students
of Ardtornish Primary School with a
certificate of appreciation for assisting
in the war against weeds.
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With support of Natural Resources Management Officers, National Park Rangers and other local land managers, students have raised and released agents, such as Bridal Creeper Leaf Hopper, Bridal Creeper Rust Fungus, Gorse Spider Mite and Horehound Plume Moth, into high priority weed infestations in national parks, conservation reserves and on private land. Many schools have maintained their interest in the release site through monitoring the weed infestation and impact of the agents.
We have received positive feedback from the students and teachers, with some schools raising a second biological control agent the following term and the majority of schools hoping to repeat the program annually. We have also found that Weed Warriors is an effective tool in raising awareness about weeds in the wider community as students inform family and friends about weeds in their own backyards!
Weed Warriors will continue to expand across South Australia, with more schools participating and the inclusion of new biological control agents in the program. The success of the program is largely due to the expertise and support of the local authorised officers and other NR managers, the dedication of the teachers and the enthusiasm of the students.
For further information about the Weed Warriors Program in South Australia please contact:
Weed warrior program structure
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Upper Sturt Primary School
students tackling an Olive
infestation in Belair National Park
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- Initial classroom session by local community members to introduce weed issues.
- 4 – 8 week program during which students are responsible for rearing biological control agents and undertake weed and environmental based activities.
- The release of biological control agents, with help from community members, on a local infestation of the target weed.
- Follow-up monitoring and classroom visits from local community members about environmental issues
- Biological control agents available;
• Bridal Creeper – Leaf Hopper
• Bridal Creeper – Rust Fungus
• Gorse – Spider Mite
• Horehound – Plume Moth
• Salvation Jane – Agent redistribution
- Materials Needed to Run Program:
• Rearing Cage and Trays
• Mesh Bags/Ventilated Transport Container
• Pots, Potting Mix/Foam, Fertilizer
• Pots or Cuttings of Target Weed
• Biological Control Agent
• Watering Bottle
• Light Source and Timer (optional)
- Resource Costs (including GST):
• Starter Kit (including registration for 1 school): $220
• Additional Schools – resources etc: $88 per school
• Registered Schools – resources etc for different weed or agent: $71.50
• Registered Schools – Repeating program with same weed and agent: No charge
If a school's involvement in Weed Warriors is organised by Catherine Austin (Weed Warriors Project Officer), the materials and resources are provided at no charge by the Adelaide and Mt. Lofty Ranges, and the SA Murray River Natural Resources Management Boards.
Additional Links
National Weed Warriors Website: http://www.weedwarriors.net.au/
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