Title: ChemFree weeding workshop in Sydney a success
[The Weed's Network 08 April 2015] — The Weed’s Network surveyed 986 weeding stakeholders in 2014 to learn about their attitudes and experiences with herbicides. We found that 78% per cent of people who use herbicides believe that herbicides contribute to pollution. Further, 75% cent of those surveyed who use herbicides want to use less. While herbicide users may desire to use less herbicide, the necessary knowledge to reduce herbicide use is lacking. Our findings also showed that the majority of people who currently use herbicides are worried about the potential ill effects these chemicals might have on their health and their environment. The Weed’s Network is taking up the challenge posed by the survey findings. With the assistance of partnering organisations around Australia, The Weed’s Network is convening a series of ‘ChemFree Weed Management Workshops’ around Australia. On the 30th of March we partnered with Greater Sydney Local Land Services to convene a ChemFree weeding workshop in Sydney. The day-long workshop featured 11 speakers who presented the latest practical knowledge on proven approaches to weed management without chemical input. Participants gained insight into current public perceptions of the herbicide pollution and health issues, and joined in peer discussion to share their opinions and ideas with other participants. A lunch featuring weeds foraged by Diego Bonetto and prepared by leading Sydney chef Joey Astorga was provided. In Perth, we are partnering with Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council to convene a similar workshop on 15th of May 2015. Registrations will open shortly -- for more information on The Weed's Network's approach to working with weeds, or to organise a workshop in your regrion, please continue reading to find out more. ${imageDescription} Comment
Why ChemFree?
Australian’s currently spend more than $2.30 billion (wholesale) on herbicides each year (source: APVMA 2013/14). These chemicals are acknowledged to be toxic to both humans and the environment and are considered to be potential pollutants by state EPA’s.
A nation-wide survey of the impacts of herbicides has never been undertaken in Australia. However, we know that in the USA a recent government study found that 90% of urban streams contained unacceptable levels of herbicide contamination (source: USDA 2014).
There is also mounting evidence emerging around the world that herbicides pose an risk to human health, with countries such as Holland moving to ban the use of glyphosate, the world’s most commonly used herbicide, on hard surfaces in 2015.
Our Approach:
The Weed’s Network uses a systems approach to thinking through weed management issues. This approach has enabled us to explore and identify the impacts of chemical weeding methods. We have found that chemical methods generally treat weeds as symptoms rather than address the underlying processes that lead to the symptoms becoming troublesome. For example, herbicides may create bare ground, which in turn creates the ideal conditions for weed re-invasion. Unless we address these underlying issues, the value gained from resources allocated to weeding management will be sub-optimal.
Given the above, and consistent with the aims of our partners, The Weed’s Network:
Educates weeding stakeholders to enable them to use weeding methods that nurture and work with ecological processes to support life and livelihoods.
Engages with and informs communities on evidence-based weeding techniques that protect and restore natural resources without polluting the environment.
Encourages weeding stakeholders to use weeds as a resource, so that they can value weeds for their services to ecology, for example, in their pioneering role in decontaminating and rejuvenating degraded habitats.
Partners with knowledgeable weeding stakeholders, working flexibly and proactively to achieve improvements to natural resources outcomes.
Workshop Objectives
Our aim is to make the workshops relevant and informative for our regional partners with respect to their efforts to reduce or eliminate the impacts of the synthetic chemicals used in weeding and vegetation management. To do this, we undertake the following tasks:
We organise a one-day ChemFree weed management workshop program with knowledgeable speakers selected with our partner’s input to be focused on local priorities.
We promote the event through our network of 30,000+ subscribers to ensure the best mix of weeding professionals attends the event.
We manage the event from end to end to ensure the day meets the shared objectives of all participating weeding stakeholders.
To book a place in Perth on the 15th of May, please click here, or to organise a workshop in your region, please email Dr David Low
