Free pest plant workshops for 2016

Pest plant experts will be passing on tips on how to tackle some of the Northland’s worst weeds at a series of free winter workshops in Kaipara, the Far North and Whangarei.

Northland Regional Council Chairman Bill Shepherd says it will be the sixth year the council has held the popular three-hour workshops, which will once again be run by staff pest plant specialist Sara Brill. 

“Typically council holds two pest plant workshops per day at each venue based on demand from local communities, which can vary from year to year.  This year we’ll be visiting Dargaville, Kerikeri, Coopers Beach and Whangarei.”

Councillor Shepherd says every year up to 200 people take advantage of the offer to learn how to better manage both land and freshwater-based weeds either on their own land, or properties they manage for others.

Those keen to attend should contact Sara Brill directly on (09) 470 1162 or freephone (0800) 002 004 to register or learn more about the workshops which run from either 9am until noon or 1pm-4pm each day.

“The workshops are hands-on but delivered in a relaxed and fun way to help people learn how best to tackle a wide varietry of more than 20 nasties including wild ginger, lantana and moth plant as well as highlighting the need to report freshwater weeds like salvinia and water hyacinth.”

The 25-30 July workshops will include a short presentation, hands-on identification tips and information on control options, including chemicals and other methods.

The first workshop will be held in Dargaville at the Kaipara District Council’s conference room (Hokianga Rd) on Monday 25 July, followed the next day in Kerikeri at the St John Ambulance Hall (357 Kerikeri Rd) before moving to the St John Ambulance Hall (7 St John Rd) at Coopers Beach on Wednesday 27 July.

Friday 29 July will see workshops in the council chambers at the regional council’s Water St, Whangarei offices.

Councillor Shepherd says two separate three-hour workshops will be held at each weekday venue; one from 9am til noon and the other from 1-4pm, but numbers are limited to about 30 people each time so registration is essential.

There’ll also a final weekend workshop in Whangarei on the morning of Saturday 30 July (again, from 9am until noon) for those who might not have been able to make any of the earlier weekday events.

Councillor Shepherd says the winter workshops are a great chance for people to plan well ahead and get ready for the busy ‘weed knockdown period’ once the warm spring growth phase starts.

General information on pests in Northland is available from the council’s website via: www.nrc.govt.nz/nasties