Building on PBSF012, Geoff Pegg has continued his training in partnership with the Butchulla Land and Sea Rangers (BLSR) to extended the modules to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) staff and community rangers including Landcare groups from Hervey Bay and Sunshine Coast (Gubbi Gubbi). Additionally, training in myrtle rust assessment and monitoring has been […]
A new Foundation project led by Dr Anne Sawyer of the University of Queensland is looking at exactly this question. The early stage, proof of concept project will address Objective 4.3 of the National Myrtle Rust Action plan, focusing on two High Priority Species Decaspermum humile and Syzygium hodgkinsoniae. We hope this project may ultimately […]
Dr Geoff Pegg, recently named ‘Environmental Biosecurity Award’ winner in the 2020 National Biosecurity Awards, has just completed a wonderful project with the Butchulla Land and Sea Rangers. The project increased their biosecurity capacity, and developed a number of training modules that can be adapted for other training groups. ‘Protecting our native environments, and the […]
The Foundation supported Jordan Bailey of NSW DPI to raise the profile of biosecurity to schools during the International Year of Plant Health. We love what she has done .. you can read more here, or download the full report. Well done Jordan!
The planthopper, spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula: SLF), is an emerging pest of agricultural, urban and environmental biosecurity concern, attacking over 70 plant species. It recently spread from its native range of China, Vietnam & India into South Korea, Japan, and the northeastern US and is considered a significant ecological and economic threat to ornamental plants, forests […]
Project Leader, Organisation Anne Sawyer, University of Queensland Status COMPLETE Background Objective 4.3 of the National Myrtle Rust Action Plan (MRAP) is to explore methods for resistance and control. Controls for agricultural pathogens e.g. resistant cultivars or fungicides, are inapplicable against myrtle rust in natural environments. RNA interference (RNAi) vaccines are an emerging crop protection […]
Project Leader, Organisation Tilly Davis, Buthculla Aboriginal Corporation Status COMPLETE Background Exotic pests threaten cultural and environmental biodiversity values unique to Australia. The recent detection and subsequent spread of the invasive myrtle rust pathogen, Austropuccinia psidii, has highlighted the threat and challenges associated with managing these pests. Several reviews have highlighted serious gaps relating to […]
Ten new projects have been approved for investment by the Foundation. The Board was delighted to receive lots of high quality proposals, and spent some time sifting through to get the best mix of investments. The ten approved projects were worth $284k in requests, an amount more than matched by the project partners. They included […]
Status COMPLETE Project Leader Dr Olivia Reynolds (CesarAustralia) Executive Summary Incursions of exotic pest species place pressure on biosecurity resources globally and measures to understand and prepare for priority exotic pests are a crucial aspect of any biosecurity system. Global costs associated with incursions of exotic pest species have been estimated to have reached at […]
The Foundation’s winter newsletter is out now and can be downloaded here… Can our current reliance on science become the new norm? Call for proposals Myrtle Rust National Action Plan finalised and with Minister Ley Blood disease in bananas – reducing risk to Australia Remote sensing and machine learning for improved biosecurity in forest and […]