Locals are being asked to have a ‘dirty weekend in their own back yard’ this October to protect Golden Bay’s special environment from invasive weeds.

The call comes as Weedbusters New Zealand launches a national ‘Dirty Weekend’ campaign this month to raise the profile of ornamental species that have jumped the garden fence and are invading natural areas.

The ‘terrible three’ weeds being targeted in Golden Bay during October are tradescantia, banana passionfruit, and buddleia, all of which spread very easily and are a huge threat to Golden Bay’s native forests.

Those disposing of these weeds at the Takaka and Collingwood Resource Recovery Centres on October 14th will receive a free native plant for their efforts. Those bringing in banana passionfruit will also receive a discount voucher for a replacement non-weedy black passionfruit plant, courtesy the Golden Bay Garden Centre.

Weed experts from the newly formed Golden Bay Weedbusters group – with representatives from Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird, Landcare Trust and Tasman District Council – will be on hand to provide weed identification and control advice.

“Four thousand local pairs of eyes and willing hands to see and deal with weeds constitutes a formidable army in the war against weeds” says Jo-Anne Vaughn of Forest and Bird. “And it all starts with Golden Bay residents taking the small step of getting rid of these invasive species from their own backyards.”

The Golden Bay Weedbuster Group is also available to support people and groups to manage weeds infesting public land in their own community or on private land.

Peter Corby, aka ‘Mr Golden Bay Weedbuster’, is available to help people to identify their weeds, discuss the best method for control and help to organise a group to work on those weeds if they have become too overwhelming.

“Golden Bay Weedbusters are determined that our area, dependent on its natural beauty for our lifestyle and tourist industry, doesn’t get smothered under a mass of weeds,” says Jo-Anne. “Its especially important with Kahurangi being considered for World Heritage status.”

Peter Corby can be contacted on (03) 5248306. For more information about weeds and their control, check out www.weedbusters.org.nz.