Our war against the Wheel Cactus weed is greatly assisted by several different student groups, including last week’s field trip from Roxburgh College, Melbourne. An enthusiastic group of 15 Year 9 students (plus a couple of teachers) and a few volunteers from the Mobile Landcare Group, all enjoyed a day in the bush learning how to kill wheel cactus plants and the huge problem we have with weeds in the countryside. This new group thought their trip was so worthwhile they are now planning to do 2 or 3 field trips each year to help us control Wheel Cactus infestations as part of their Year 9 Geography curriculum.
Roxburgh College students enjoyed a trip to the country to kill some Wheel Cactus
Visiting volunteer groups such as these energetic students are possible due to funding provided in recent years by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA). The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group Inc. (TCCG) has recently been awarded another Landcare grant from the NCCMA, which will cover the cost of equipping and catering for these valuable student groups during 2014. The TCCG is very pleased to receive this grant, which will also help fund herbicide and injecting equipment for our regular monthly field days.
Our final monthly Wheel Cactus Community Field Day for this year will be held on Sunday 24th November, beginning at 10:30 am at the Dimsey’s property on Tarrangower School Road (north off Waterson’s Road), and will be well signposted along Waterson’s Road.
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group Inc. and Parks Victoria take a rest during the summer, due to the long grass, snakes and heat, until we reconvene in April next year.
Please come and join us for the final attack on Wheel Cactus and a special ‘end of year’ lunch. Everyone is then most welcome to stay on and attend our AGM at 1 pm.
If anyone has an infestation on or near their property that they would like to attack during our rest period, and need some tools and/or advice, please contact the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group Inc. by calling Ian on 0412 015 807. Also please remember to check out our new website for more information and subscribe online for a monthly field day reminder, at www.cactuswarriors.org
