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WILDCARE SPRATS

WINNERS: 2009 TASMANIAN AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE COMMUNITY

and

FINALISTS:

NATIONAL BANKSIA ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS 2009

For information about our 2010 - 2011 expedition and how to be involved click here for the SPRATS Information Pack and Expression of Interest Form

Where do we work?

The entire southwest wilderness coastline, from Macquarie Harbour to South East Cape.

What do we do?

Sea Spurge and Marram Grass are coastal weeds that are devastating landforms and ecosystems along the shores of southern Australia, including Tasmania. Natural geomorphic processes are changed, native plant communities displaced and the habitats of animals and shore-breeding birds are transformed.

Prior to SPRATS intervention, coastal weed invasion along the wild coast of the Southwest National Park (part of Tasmanias wilderness World Heritage Area) and South West Conservation Area was extensive. So far SPRATS volunteers have eliminated mature Sea Spurge from >95% of this coast and aim to remove the remaining large infestations over the next season or two. Marram control is a similar tale. Of course once seeding plants are removed, follow is required to deplete seed banks and remove new outbreaks.

Where possible the whole coastline must be traversed - not just bays and beaches - because sea spurge happily grows on rocky outcrops and in crevasses.

The group was formed in early 2007 by a team of volunteers who had successfully undertaken a survey and a pilot control program in response to the Tasmanian Beach Weeds Strategy. SPRATS work in a number of partnerships and principally with the Parks and Wildlife Service.

SPRATS is at the forefront of creating and consolidating a new ethos of "adventure" volunteering, which tackles conservation threats in places where they are not efficiently managed by traditional agency implemented programs. This community partnership model has generated real benefits for wilderness conservation in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia and provides fulfillment and fun for volunteers.

….we concentrate on getting the work done but work hard at having a good time

How do we go about it?

Our coastal weed eradication objective is set at a landscape scale, must operate over the long term and is logistically complex. SPRATS are self governing and self reliant, have formal office bearers and meetings, and have recruited the necessary skills to its ranks. Planning is open to all members. SPRATS have documented a ten year strategy and operate each year under an annual plan. Volunteer risk is managed through participant selection, the use of specialised communications equipment, formal safety analyses and post deployment debriefing. Operational data is collected and analysed to improve future efforts.

Thanks to grants from the Australian Government and internal funding from Wildcare Inc, an intensive program is again planned for this summer.

Can I get involved?

Yes. SPRATS have opportunities for both organizers and weeders.

If you are an experienced, self-reliant bushwalker who wants to spend time on some hard-to-access coast, and put something back into the environment, this is for you. There are opportunities for bushwalkers with a variety of fitness and experience levels.

All parts of the coast are breathtakingly beautiful, and offer the freshest air in the world. We take the time to enjoy this special place.

In addition, there are a range of leadership and organizing roles including membership coordination, public relations and logistics.

To find out more, download our SPRAT pack and expression of interest form from the Wildcare Forms page (see link at top of page) or Email our President Geoff Luscombe

If you are not yet a WILDCARE member and would like to join this group, join WILDCARE Inc (either online, by mail or in person at any Service Tasmania outlet, Parks Visitor Centre or the WILDCARE Inc Office) and then list this group on your membership form.

If you are already a member and would like to join this group, either go to your personal details in the members only area to include the group or contact office@wildcaretas.org.au to change your details.