English Broom biological control 15-17 Nov 2019

[Xplora]

Anyone interested in an free weekend with a little work thrown in. The work is not hard and there is an opportunity for about 8 to get a white water rafting experience on the Mitta Mitta river on the Saturday with the possibility of another shorter trip on the Sunday. Other work will be on foot both days but you will be working near water and maybe in it. We collect a microscopic insect called a gall mite from infected plants and distribute it to unaffected plants in areas where sprayers cannot get to. The rafts provide good access for this and the rafting guides are all qualified. You would also have all safety gear supplied. To be involved you have to register as a volunteer (if not already) with Parks Vic and then join the activity at this page. https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/Volu ... 0d3ad1c24a
All meals are provided and it is not a sausage sandwich for dinner. Wood fired pizza Friday night and a lavish BBQ Saturday. Accommodation also provided at the Glen Wills Retreat but you have to bring a sleeping bag to save washing sheets and keep the cost down.

Gall mite has the potential of controlling the expanding invasion of English Broom in our parks. It has been well tested as a bio control agent and we are already seeing significant signs of its affect in some areas.