bushlandnews Community radio speaking for the environment By Daniella Hanf Issue 61 Autumn 2007 ‘UNDERSTOREY’, Perth’s only local community-based radio program dedicated solely to discussing local environmental issues, is giving a voice to community groups and effecting social change. Time of Djeran and Listeners tune in to RTRFM 92.1 each Tuesday from 7–8pm for subjects ranging from tips on Makuru in the Nyoongar sustainable living to feral bee control and ‘debunking’ myths behind global warming. calendar. Each program explores contentious issues such as the nuclear power Urban Nature update debate and discusses current issues Page 2 and developments in ‘green technology’ with a relevant Learning opportunities specialist. Understorey assists Page 2 conservationists at a grass roots level by providing a voice for Bushland Weedwatch: community groups to promote their Geraldton carnation environmental work and weed Page 3 encouraging listeners to get involved in the variety of ‘Walks Econote: Change in the and Talks’ on offer. Michael Coote and Lisa Litijens, two of the nine members of the Understorey weather? Page 4 team, in the studio at RTRFM. Photo – Dave Houchin Cultivators of ‘cross-pollination’ Funding opportunities The Understorey volunteer team informing us how to save money, energy and the Denmark wind Page 5 possesses skills in biodiversity recycle printer cartridges and farm. Understorey has also recently conservation, education, law, art minimise waste. presented live music from a What’s on Page 6 and research. Its members have number of local musicians. interests and knowledge in Understorey is strongly supported by high-profile environmentalists. Regional reports Page 7 ecosystem management, Aboriginal Let it grow – subscribe! culture, conservation policy and Tim Flannery (2007 Australian of Listener subscriptions to RTRFM Tackling big projects: heritage. They work in private the Year) spoke about his book are vital to Understorey’s survival, finding partners and enterprise, non-government The Weather Makers. Chris as the station does not receive Tallentire (Director, Conservation building confidence organisations and government government funding. Generous Council of WA) is a frequent guest Page 10 departments and all share a passion support has come from individuals, for the principle ‘think globally – on the program to discuss businesses, non-government proposals such as the Gorgon Gas Group profile: Canning act locally’. organisations and government project. Jo Vallentine (community River Regional Park agencies including the The show blossoms – big name activist) has also been interviewed Volunteers Inc Conservation Council of WA and interviews and support a number of times on issues such Page 11 the Department of Environment More than 400 community groups the uranium debate, Moore River and Conservation (DEC). Resources Page 12 are registered with Understorey to and sustainable activism. Tim Successful local musician John advertise their activities in the Winton (WA author and Butler also performed live during ‘Walks and Talks’ session or engage environmental advocate) ‘Radiothon’ which is held once a Bushland News is a quarterly in live interviews to promote their represented the Stop the Toad year to attract subscribers. newsletter of Urban Nature, a group’s activities. Foundation, Robyn Williams (ABC A webpage is being developed to Department of Environment and Science Show) spoke about his To date, it has attracted interviews enable listeners to keep up-to-date Conservation program to support books, David Bellamy (British community involvement in with Sian Churcher (Greenpeace) with events and activities when scientist) spoke about salinity and bushland conservation. promoting ‘Kites for Kyoto’, Nicole the program is off air. It will David Suzuki (environmentalist) Hodgson (WA Collaboration) include links to community groups. The Department of spoke about sustainability. Conservation and Land helping listeners create a sustainable To subscribe visit Management merged with the Christmas, Cameron Crowe (Leave The team regularly interviews www.rtrfm.com.au/subscribe/. Department of Environment, No Trace) encouraging low-impact politicians from all parties. Topics Feedback and suggestions for the forming the new Department of tourism, Katrina Bercov (Cooks with have included planning and show can be emailed to Environment and Conservation a Conscience) offering catering infrastructure, a review of federal [email protected] or (DEC) on 1 July 2006. alternatives and Michael Brisley environmental issues, renewable call 9260 9200. www.naturebase.net/urbannature bushlandnews Autumn 2007 Urban Nature UPDATE After more than a decade of Ecoplan News, the time has significantly broadened to include the science of bushland come to change the newsletter’s name to reflect the changes management, promoting best-practice weed management, that the program itself has undergone over the years. rehabilitation and fire management. The name change to Bushland News will provide a clearer picture of our focus in the urban bushland In 2004, the Urban Nature program was developed, based partly environment, and the work of the Urban Nature program as a whole. on principles from the former ‘Ecoplan’. The focus has now Learning opportunities Swan weed plan – opportunity for comment The invasive South African grass Tribolium managers to take part. The DEC course uniolae (pictured) will be the focus of a has national accreditation and is open to Development of the Swan Regional half-day workshop by Urban Nature in the both DEC staff and local government Weed Strategy by DEC and the Swan Perth Hills on Saturday 21 April. The officers. The field component of the Catchment Council is well underway with workshop will help those wanting to course will focus on weed management a number of key milestones due to be understand more about this widespread in bushland around Busselton, Augusta achieved in June. DEC’s Greg Keighery weed in the Darling Scarp and eastern and Margaret River. has recently compiled a list of all weed sections of the Swan Coastal Plain and The phones ran hot with the February species in the Swan NRM Region ways to manage its spread. Contact Karen complete with rankings, which is now release of the 2007 ‘Skills for Nature Bettink on 9423 2904 or email available for review and comment. Conservation’ (SFNC) calendar for [email protected]. Contact Karen Bettink on 9423 2904 or March–June. ‘Propagation for Beginners’ by email ([email protected]) This year the ‘Managing Weeds in filled within the first two days so will be for more information. Bushland’ course will be held in Busselton re-run in the second half of 2007. to provide an opportunity for regional land A SFNC workshop on Geraldton carnation weed that was to be held on Friday 11 May has been rescheduled to Winter Bushland News Thursday 21 June at the Naragebup Rockingham Environment Centre. It will Winter Bushland News contributions include topics such as distribution, other should be sent to Urban Nature by weedy Euphorbia, current research, Friday 1 June 2007. biology and best-practice management. Compiled and edited by Jo Tregonning. A field visit to a range of sites is included. (See this issue’s ‘Bushland weedwatch’ on page 3 for more information.) SFNC workshop themes include first Contacts aid, land management, biological Urban Nature office threats, geomorphology, easy steps to UN Coordinator 9423 2909 obtain funding and techniques to Kate Brown 9423 2905 measure your project’s success. Grazyna Paczkowska 9423 2914 The SFNC calendar is available at Karen Bettink 9423 2904 www.wrc.wa.gov.au/swanavon. Contact Joanne Gomersall 9423 2924 Jo Gomersall on 9423 2924 or by email ([email protected]) Department of Environment and to book. If you make a booking but are Conservation, Swan Region office unable to attend please 7 Turner Avenue, Bentley WA 6102 contact us so we can PO Box 1167 reallocate your Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 booking and Fax 9423 2901 adjust catering. Email [email protected] The invasive South African grass Tribolium uniolae is the topic of an Urban Nature Previous issues of Bushland News available workshop in April. Photo – Karen Bettink at www.naturebase.net/urbannature 2 www.naturebase.net/urbannature BUSHLAND WEEDWATCH: Geraldton carnation weed (Euphorbia terracina) By Kate Brown (Bushland Management Advisor, Urban Nature) GERALDTON carnation weed or false spurge (Euphorbia terracina) is recorded to have been naturalised around Geraldton as early as 1914. Today it invades coastal heaths, wetlands and woodlands on calcareous soils from Geraldton to Cape Arid. With the ability to invade undisturbed vegetation, form dense monocultures and displace native flora, the weed poses a serious threat to remnant bushland on the Swan Coastal Plain and beyond. Interesting biology • Intensive management following fire • Geraldton carnation weed is a short- activity is effective at controlling and lived perennial herb, growing to one preventing the spread of populations. metre. Re-sprouting plants are accessible and • It dies back to a woody base over receptive to herbicide, and massive summer, producing new stems with numbers of seedlings are easily autumn rains. targeted in the reduced native • Its peak flowering time is during vegetation cover. August and September. Suggested control methods • Seedlings can mature within a few Physical control months, small plants flower and set Care must be taken to minimise soil seed any time following rain. disturbance when physically removing • A flush of germination follows plants. Plants re-sprout from base or root autumn rain and any other heavy rain material left in the soil, so the entire throughout the year. plant must be removed. Plants left lying • The hard-coated seed (three per fruit) on the soil surface can go on to produce are three to five millimetres long with seed, so all material should be carefully a white, oily aril. removed from the site. • Seed is scattered by the explosive action of dehiscing fruit and are WARNING dispersed by birds, ants and water flow.