Gamba grass a key focus for rangers

The Managing Country Skills Workshop was held in Bamaga at the end of May, bringing together ranger teams from across northern Australia to develop land management techniques.

Organised by NAILSMA’s Protecting Country Against Invasive Species Program and hosted by the Apudthama Rangers, the workshop included topics such as vehicle maintenance, drone mapping, feral pig satellite collaring, freshwater biosecurity, herbicide safety, fruit fly baiting techniques and vegetation monitoring.

Cape York NRM's Maree Coulson led a gamba grass identification session, highlighting the importance of managing the invasive weed and discussing the different treatment methods being used by ranger teams.

"Gamba can pose a significant threat to people and livelihoods, making fires much more intense and difficult to control because of the high fuel loads it creates," Ms Coulson said.

"Outside of residential areas, unmanaged gamba can outcompete native vegetation and degrade precious ecosystems, impacting everything from the availability of traditional foods to habitat for native animals. By working together, we can make a positive impact on managing gamba grass across northern Australia."

Dr. Angie Reid from NAILSMA’s Protecting Country Against Invasive Species Program said 18 organisations attended the workshop, with 48 Indigenous rangers participating in 24 different skills and knowledge modules.

“The workshop is a great example of how Indigenous Ranger Teams and partner organisations coming together can provide the best knowledge exchange experience ensuring two-way communication, understanding and adoption of new protocols, and networking and relationship building.  

“Ensuring that Indigenous Rangers have the most up to date information about noxious weeds, such as gamba grass, is necessary for the continued monitoring and control of weedy species.”

Managing gamba grass is a priority focus of Cape York NRM's Cape York Wetlands and Native Vegetation Resilience Project, funded through the Queensland Government's Natural Resource Management Expansion Program.

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