On 25 November, community members came together at Sutton Village Reserve for a practical and informative weed and native plant identification walk.
The walk was led by Bella Hart and Alicia Kaylock from Southeast Local Land Services, with valuable support from Brett Lees, Biosecurity Officer at Yass Valley Council. Weed control activities at the site are being co-funded by Crown Lands, highlighting the importance of partnership in managing public land.
Participants focused on some of the major weeds impacting our region, including African Lovegrass, St John’s Wort, Serrated Tussock and blackberries. A key theme of the walk was learning how to confidently identify these species, particularly as some have native “look-alikes”. Developing this more detailed knowledge helps landholders and volunteers distinguish the good from the bad and make informed management decisions.
The group also discussed tools that can assist with weed identification, including the NSW WeedWise app, available on both Apple and Android devices. These resources are proving invaluable for ongoing learning in the field.
Looking ahead, Sutton Landcare is actively considering suitable native species to replace weeds once control works are undertaken. Avoiding bare soil is essential to prevent reinfestation and support healthy regeneration.
Thank you to everyone who participated, and especially to Alicia, Bella and Brett for generously sharing their expertise.
Written by Arnold Dekker, Sutton Landcare