The event is being held with the support of MidCoast Council.

“Weeds are one of the biggest challenges for good natural resource management, whether on the farm or in native vegetation areas, so we do give weeds a lot of attention in our catchment wide workshop program,” Karuah and Great Lakes Landcare co-ordinator, Joël Dunn said.

“This time around we have a great line-up of speakers: MidCoast Council strategic weeds biosecurity officer, Terry Inkson, Active Bush Works bush regenerator, Miles Dixon, and Riverdene Nursery’s  Noel Jupp.”

Terry Inkson will give an overview of a strategic, efficient approach to weed management, and will give alerts about emerging weed threats.

“We get a far greater bang for our weed management buck cracking down hard on emerging threats before they can take off, so it’s very important to raise awareness on these merging weed problems,” Mr Inkson said.

“For example, the Karuah Valley is at the northernmost extent of infestations of African olive, which can devastate ecosystems once it gets going, so we are on high alert to stop this terrible plant’s northward spread.”

Noel Jupp will share his extensive experience working with riparian vegetation – these areas are important for biodiversity, water quality and general ecosystem health, and have their own set of challenges when it comes to weed management and bush regeneration.

After a fully catered lunch, the group will move to a field walk at the Mammy Johnson River Reserve, where a dedicated group of volunteers have been working on the precious remnant riparian vegetation for more than four years.

Miles Dixon will outline bush regeneration strategies, from site assessment to follow up, and will demonstrate some weed killing tools and techniques.

For more information and bookings, contact Joël on 0401 932 533.

Wards River-Mammy Johnson River Rivercare group convener Amanda Albury is pleased to have the group host a public workshop.

“We’re passionate about caring for this river and its endangered Lowland Rainforest vegetation community, and would love to raise the profile of this special place and the ways people can help protect and enhance it,” she said.

“The reserve itself has great potential to be further used by the public, particularly for education – not just around bush regeneration, but also such activities as Water Watch and platypus watching.

“Our volunteer group meets at the reserve on Saturdays from 11am-2pm, and we always welcome new participants, please call me on 0403 645 521 to find out more.”