Landholders in the Western region will work closely with Western Local Land Services to improve and sustain the condition of close to 25,000 hectares of natural resources through the control of invasive weed species, specifically African boxthorn.
After running a successful expression of interest process for the 2021-22 Western Weed Management Program, 25 landholders have been contracted to carry out control works for African boxthorn, mesquite and cactus.
With African boxthorn out-competing the native understory and altering the structure of the vegetation community, as well as being a haven for pest animals such as foxes and rabbits, the control works will be carried out in targeted areas. This will help protect Plains-wanderer habitat and Coolibah Black-Box Threatened Ecological Communities.
Senior Land Services Officer, Andrea Cashmere is pleased with the level of interest in the program and is looking forward to seeing the on-ground works get underway.
"This is the fourth year we have offered weed funding through this program, so we are really starting to see a change in the landscape in some areas and have an impact on weed populations," Ms Cashmere said.
"This year we have again funded the removal of African boxthorn in the habitat of the critically endangered Plains-wanderer. It's great to see landholders taking the opportunity to assist the plight of the bird while at the same time increasing productivity potential.
"Boxthorn in Plains-wander habitat changes the structure of the grassland the Plains-wanderer prefer to live in, it provides a roost for raptors (i.e. eagles, hawks) which prey on the birds. It also provides harbour for foxes who also predate on the bird and rabbits which compete for food resources.
"Removal of boxthorn in these grasslands will help reduce some of the threats that continue to undermine the survival of this iconic species."
