Partnerships Against Pests
The Partnerships Against Pests (PAP) program is a strategic initiative led by Up2Us Landcare Alliance to address growing pest plant and animal management challenges across the Mansfield Shire. Building on previous successful pest management work, this project aims to educate, empower, and mobilise the local community to implement effective control measures against invasive species that threaten agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and environmental health.
Project Focus
The program targets multiple declared pest species under the CaLP Act including feral pigs, Paterson's Curse, Thistle, Gorse, English and Cape Broom, Hawthorn, Willow species, and rabbits. These invasive species have become increasingly problematic, particularly following COVID-19 lockdowns which limited involvement of absentee landholders and after periods of above-average rainfall.
Key Objectives
Educational Events and Management Plans: Host informative field days featuring experts in pest management while providing landholders with practical pest management plans and long-term suppression strategies.
Capacity Building Among Community Leaders: Work with landholder groups and offer subsidised Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP) training to ten landholders annually.
Awareness Campaigns: Launch seasonal campaigns promoting management of targeted pest species with tailored resources available on the Up2Us website, supported by case studies of successful initiatives.
Collaborative Landscape-Scale Action: Empower leaders and landholders to form collaborative groups for coordinated pest control, addressing specific challenges like Paterson's curse and rabbits in the Bonnie Doon Hills.
Partnership Development: Strengthen relationships with agencies, Landcare groups and the broader community to achieve common pest management goals.
Project Activities
Host specialised field days focused on specific pest animals and plants
Deliver a two-day Chemical User Course for 10 land managers
Provide five multi-year pest plant and animal management plans for landholders
Provide capacity building, webinars and resources to engage absentee landholders
Project Partners
The program brings together key stakeholders including DEECA, Mansfield Shire Council, Agriculture Victoria and local landholder groups to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to pest management across the region.
This Partnerships Against Pests program represents a proactive, community-led initiative to address growing pest management challenges while building lasting capacity within the Mansfield community to maintain effective pest control into the future.
For further information on how you can be involved in this program please fill out the form below or contact Up2Us Landcare Alliance at landcare2@up2us.org.au or on 57791593
