28 October 2011

Weedbusters is back in town

It is that time of year again, when Horizons is on the lookout for Weeds in Palmerston North. Horizons launched its Weedbusters campaign this week, in conjunction with Palmerston North City Council.

Weeds including Old Man's Beard, Banana Passionfruit, Gunnera and Wild Ginger are on the wanted list and Horizons staff will be out in the field until March next year. Over the winter months, staff have been fielding calls, relying on the public to let them know where to target infestations.

"This is really a combined project between the public and Horizons, without help from the public this project would not be so successful" says environmental management officer Neil Mickleson.

And successful it has been. When Weedbusters first started in 2006, the primary target was Old Man's Beard, with infestations all over Palmerston North city. In that first year 650 sites were listed on Horizons' database, increasing to 1100 sites in 2011. Of those 1100 sites only 45 are still active with weeds.

"We have got on top of Old Man's Beard and have managed to control it, says Mickleson, "and this is our third year targeting Gunnera, Banana Passionfruit and Wild Ginger".

"This year our main concern is Banana Passionfruit. Because people have planted so many trees on their properties over the last few years, the bird population has increased 10 fold. This has lead to more birds carrying weed seed with them, and isolated outclips of the weed are popping up around Palmerston North and surrounding areas".

As part of the campaign, every site Horizons receives a call from will be visited, have the weeds removed and an information pack will be left to assist the land owner to manage weeds in the future. If you think you have any of these weeds on your property ring 0800 WEEDBUSTERS or 0508 800 800.

ENDS

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