River to Recovery: preventing post-flood pests

The distribution and abundance of these species has increased significantly following the flood, threatening environmental and cultural values, disrupting the operation of critical infrastructure, and impacting the community’s enjoyment of the river.

Funded by the South Australian Government’s Landscape Priorities Fund, River to Recovery is a Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board project that involves working collaboratively to prevent post-flood weeds and pests taking hold across the River Murray corridor and stop their spread into other regions, catchments and water supplies. 

The landscape board is working closely with landholders, First Nations, local councils, community groups, irrigation trusts, other regions, SA Water and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to bring together science, culture and community for longstanding impact. This is a long-term project with pests being managed under the Murraylands and Riverland 2021-26 Pest Plant Action Plan. 

The first step in this project is engaging stakeholders and partners while also surveying areas within the flood footprint to determine priority areas and assets for control works.

The landscape board have already been out on the river corridor, from the state border to Wellington, mapping out priority locations. They’re conducting pest incursion surveys in boats along the river and backwaters as well as using drones in some difficult to access areas, where permitted.

The next step is where the community can get involved through citizen science.

Collaboration is key to the success of this project. The landscape board are now calling on the community to report sightings of the target pest species.

Signs with images and a QR code are being installed at boat ramps, caravan parks, and other key sites in the flood footprint, allowing for quick and easy reporting.

Read further information on River to Recovery and report pest plant sightings here.

This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board with funding from the South Australian Government’s Landscape Priorities Fund.