The Grampians National Park is a crown jewel of Victoria's natural heritage, containing one third of our state’s plant diversity. It is also fully encircled by highly productive agricultural land. This puts its at risk from invasive species from all sides. The Landcare networks of the Wimmera have teamed up to holistically combat weeds and feral animals in a buffer around the Park - across a mosaic of public and private land used for primary production and tourism to conservation and lifestyles. The backbone of our project are a series of workshops/field days, where landholders can share learnings and coordinate with representatives of the many agencies that share responsibility for good IPA management in our region
This project brings together Landcare, government, private landholders, and community in a comprehensive, collaborative effort to protect the Grampians National Park.
The site
Grampians National Park, located in Victoria, Australia, is a stunning natural reserve renowned for its rugged mountain ranges, diverse flora and fauna, and rich Aboriginal heritage. Spanning over 167,000 hectares, the park boasts impressive sandstone peaks, panoramic vistas, and picturesque waterfalls, making it a haven for native plants and animals, as well as nature loving humans. The Grampians are culturally significant to the local Aboriginal communities, featuring ancient rock art sites that offer a glimpse into the region's deep historical roots. However, invasive species are an ever present and growing threat to the native biodiversity of the park. These invasive species compete with native flora and fauna for resources, alter habitats, and disrupt the balance of natural processes such as fire regimes. The issue is compounded by the Park's popularity, which increases the risk of new invasions through human movement, and poor understanding of good biosecurity practice.
What we are doing
Priority setting workshops
IPA priority setting sessions run with all of our region's Landcare groups to identify their invasive species management priorities and resource/training needs.
Local 'best practice' resource packs
The creation of custom and locally focused resource packs, distributed at face-to-face events and accessible online, to enhance community awareness and understanding of best practices in invasive species management, for their local priority species.
Workshops/field days to link landholders with agencies
Run a series of regional workshops that will bring together experts to train the public, private landholders and Landcarers in best practice control of local priority pests and weeds.
This includes hands on demonstrations days out in the field in the Spring, and follow up workshops in the Autumn.
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