Dieback to Basics
13th January, 2021
Perth NRM hosted a Phytophthora Dieback Community Workshop late last year, bringing together volunteers, local government and sub-regional groups for an onsite visit at Inglewood Triangle reserve in the City of Sterling.
Commonly known as Jarrah Dieback, phytopthora actually affects a variety of native species in our region including our banksias, and can spread rapidly if improperly managed.
Unfortunately, the pathogen can easily be introduced to new areas via contaminated footwear or even car tyres, so community awareness and engagement is critical to manage the spread.
Eighteen participants joined the workshop to get back to the basics of practical hygiene measures and management strategies used to prevent (or limit) the spread of this threat.
Dieback interpreter, Bruno Rikli of Bark Enviro demonstrated the actions taken by the Friends of Inglewood Triangle and City of Stirling to contain the disease to a northern section of the reserve, including the installation of steel grids to help remove dirt from shoes, hardening of paths and fencing the reserve to prevent free movement of people and domestic pets.
Because the spread is often linked with human activity, Christine Richardson from Friends of Inglewood Triangle was on hand to talk about the use of hygiene measures and the careful placement of volunteers in specific areas during planting and weeding activities.
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- Bruno Rikli (Bark Enviro) hosts a Phytopthora sp. Q&A
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- Inglewood Triangle Reserve – Healthy site
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- This part of the Inglewood Triangle Reserve has a Phyopthora sp. infestation.
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- Workshop attendees are briefed on hygiene and dieback ‘dos and don’ts’ before entering the site.
A short presentation on Phytophthora Dieback in south west Western Australia provided an overview of the disease for participants, and an opportunity for them to ask questions about the pathogen, testing for it and developing simple hygiene plans that can be easily implemented by Friends Groups.
If you were unable to attend, we encourage you to view and share this video commissioned by the Dieback Working Group.
The Phytophthora Dieback Workshop was held on Friday 23 October, 2020 at the Inglewood Triangle Reserve and Mount Lawley Golf Course, coordinated by Perth NRM, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program as part of the Threatened Ecological Communities program.
Perth NRM thanks the Friends of Inglewood Triangle Reserve and Mount Lawley Golf Club Committee for their assistance with the onsite visits.
Partners
We acknowledge and appreciate the support of all our partners, supporters, funding bodies and sponsors.
