Bridging research and practice: a recap of the Weed Manager’s Networking Day

Earlier in June, PHBG was delighted to host an informative and engaging Weed Manager’s Networking Day, with presentations by industry experts and scientists working in both private and public sectors. 

This event was specifically designed for land managers, who had only positive feedback for us after the event. Attendees said they found the speakers knowledgeable and their presentations both useful and educational. They particularly valued the opportunity to learn from these experts as well as other attendees about current programs and research. 

We also received several great ideas for future events - do you have any? Drop us a line and we'll add your idea to the list. 

Below are short summaries of the presentations. We encourage you to follow the links if you’d like to know more about the presenters or their work.

Integrated weed management (IPM): What does this mean in revegetation or natural area management?  

Brett Kuhlmann, Vivacious Surrounds

Integrated weed management is a holistic strategy for site restoration that emphasises that effective weed control requires a carefully tailored combination of methods rather than relying on a single technique.

IWM shifts the focus from simple removal to understanding complex ecological processes, site history, and the specific drivers of ecological balance. By assessing the unique needs of a site alongside practical constraints like budget, timeline, and available resources, managers can select appropriate interventions from a diverse toolkit, including mechanical, chemical, and cultural approaches. 

This framework aims to promote natural regeneration and improve ecosystem resilience, resulting in sites that can continue to develop and sustain themselves well into the future with comparatively little ongoing intervention.

Learn more about Brett and Vivacious Surrounds here: https://vivacioussurroundsperth.com.au / 

Post-fire weed management research: interactions between fire and weeds in urban bushlands

Dr Russell Miller, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA.

Effective fire and weed management are essential for maintaining resilient urban bushland ecosystems. Invasive grasses can drive a destructive grass–fire cycle by increasing fuel loads and promoting more frequent fires, which in turn favour further weed invasion and native vegetation decline. 

Research has shown that early post-fire weed control, combined with integrated management techniques and restoration activities where required, can:

• improve natural regeneration

• reduce long-term management costs, and 

• strengthen ecosystem resilience against future weed invasion and fire.

Learn more about this research here: https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/fire-ecology-research  

The Pilbara Conservation Project

Teagan Johnston, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)

The Pilbara Conservation Project, a collaborative initiative between the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Rio Tinto, demonstrates the value of integrated, landscape-scale conservation through coordinated management of fire, invasive weeds and feral animals across Karijini and Millstream Chichester National Parks. 

Practical management actions include:

• aerial feral herbivore control

• strategic weed mapping and treatment

• drone-assisted surveillance,

• long-term control of invasive date palms using physical and chemical methods.

By combining Traditional Owner knowledge with scientific research, the project is improving the effectiveness of conservation management while protecting biodiversity, culturally significant landscapes and ecologically important riparian habitats.

Learn more about the Pilbara Conservation Project here: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/pilbara/pilbara-conservation-project 

Fleabane control

Dr Catherine Borger, Department of Primary Industries and Resource Development (DPIRD)

Recent research into fleabane management shows that herbicide applications are most effective when plants are treated at the rosette stage and are less than one month old, with efficacy declining significantly as plants mature. 

The findings also indicate that fleabane is not a highly competitive species. By establishing vigorous desirable vegetation, it is possible to suppress the growth and spread of fleabane. Early intervention, combined with competitive groundcover, can improve long-term control outcomes while reducing reliance on repeated herbicide applications.

Learn more about Dr Borger and her work here: https://waarc.org.au/updates/dr-catherine-borger-from-suburbia-to-the-frontlines-of-weed-science/ 

Thank you

Thank you once again to our presenters for offering their time and expertise, and to those who attended. We'll see you again soon!