The Weed's Network is passionate about a sustainable, viable and creative future in our relationship with weeds.
Through a spirit of willing exploration we foster ways to better understand weeds so they become a resource we can use with environment and future generations in mind. The Weed’s Network provides evidence-based information for innovative ways of thinking about, engaging with and managing weeds sustainably.
Dr David Low – Manager
David is qualified with a PhD in Scientific Communication (ANU 2003) and is a Master of Environmental Science (Monash 1992). He became interested in weeds when on a community planting he noticed the site he was asked to dig in had been sprayed with a synthetic herbicide just a few days before the planting day. “Is that dead dried up stuff you want me to dig in safe?” So began David’s enquiry into the toxicity and safety of herbicides. “It became clear to me that people were being poisoned by synthetic herbicides and that our environment was being polluted”. In order to investigate and communicate information about the alternatives to synthetic herbicides, The Weed’s Network was founded in 2009. “The growth of interest in safer paths to controlling and/or preventing weeds has been amazing – we now have more than 35,000 members linked into our network from all over the world.”
Zheljana Peric – Communications & Market Research
Zheljana is qualified with a BA in Social Science (Monash 1998) and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Monash 2004). She became interested in weeds because she noticed the ‘war talk’ used in conjunction with weeding. “People were talking about plants as if they were an enemy. I believe that weeds can be used beneficially, to produce income and to provide a safe ecosystem for natural biological control.”
Dr Fred Pollnac – USA Representative
As part of the Weed and Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Group at Montana State University, USA, Fred received his MS degree in Land Resources and Environmental Science in 2007 and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Ecology in May 2012. He has worked on a variety of research projects related to weeds, including studies of: 1) their diversity and distribution in organic vs. conventionally managed wheat fields, 2) the dispersal of weed seeds via motor vehicles, and 3) the effects of environmental factors related to elevation on an invasive species in a mountainous region of the USA. Fred grew up in a rural area and has always been interested in how humans interact with the natural environment which his fuelled his interest in sustainable management of both agricultural and natural areas. He sees weeds and climate change as two of the biggest challenges for future management in these areas.
Mark Peric – Technical Projects Manager
Mark has worked as a project coordinator for several of Australia’s largest end-to-end IT infrastructure and business solutions companies, including, Southern Cross Computer Systems, Commander, Ipex & ITG.
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