Earlier this month, a group of seven community volunteers and some Parklands staff got stuck into a patch of invasive fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceus; formerly known as Pennisetum setaceum) that has begun to spread in a rocky gully along the Water Rat fire trail in Baranduda Regional Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This grass is native to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia and has been introduced to Australia as an ornamental plant. Unfortunately, introduced plants often ‘escape’ from people’s gardens and become invasive. This grass in particular spreads by wind-dispersed seeds but also by people, vehicles, and animals. It forms dense stands which out-compete native species, causing a reduction in biodiversity. With a bit of hard work, more than a skip’s worth of grass was removed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rangers then returned to the site to continue until all the grass was mattocked up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It will likely take a few years of revisiting this site to completely eradicate it, but it’s well worth the effort!

For those seeking to improve their identification skills, Murray Local Land Services has kindly donated some of their excellent publication: “Priority Weeds of the Murray and Riverina Regions Identification Guide”.  These will be available at the next two demonstration days or can be picked up from Parklands Albury Wodonga by appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have also been removing invasive grass from along the High Country Rail Trail and have another couple of events planned for August 14 in Baranduda and August 28 in Wodonga if you’d like to join in.

This project is financially supported by the Victorian Government’s Partnerships Against Pests Program.