ISLAND residents across Redlands Coast are being urged to swap their weeds for native trees this month as part of a long-running Redland City Council initiative.
The Weeds for Trees program will run this weekend (September 27-28), with residents able to exchange a bucket or bag of weeds for up to five free native plants.
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said the initiative encouraged the removal of invasive weeds and the planting of native species in local gardens.
“Council is encouraging residents to exchange a bucket or bag of weeds for a native plant, with a limit of five native plants per person,” Mayor Mitchell said.
“This is a great incentive to look at what is growing in our backyards and make sure they are free of invasive weeds that can threaten native wildlife and habitats.
“Some of our most common garden plants are prolific weeds that compete with native species, and when these weeds escape into surrounding bushland, they can impact local wildlife corridors.
“Replacing weeds with native plants is an excellent way to protect the Redlands’ environmental diversity, agriculture and our community from the impact of pests and weeds.”
Community Bushcare volunteers will be on hand during the events to provide advice on identifying and removing weeds, as well as recommending suitable native alternatives.
This year the focus is on Ground asparagus fern and Corky passion vine; two invasive species known to smother native vegetation and threaten biodiversity.
Ground asparagus fern forms dense thickets that choke understorey plants and stop natural regeneration, while Corky passion vine rapidly overtakes small trees and groundcover species, and is also poisonous.
The swap events will be held at several island locations, including Coochiemudlo, Karragarra, Lamb, Macleay, Russell and North Stradbroke/Minjerribah.
Council has been running Weeds for Trees since 2000, with all native plants supplied through the Redlands Indigi-
Scapes Native Community Nursery.
In addition to the swap events, all Redlands Coast residents can receive up to five free koala food or locally native trees from the nursery to help provide habitat for koalas on their properties.
More details about the initiative and information on local weeds can be found on Council’s website.
