Love the outdoors? Here’s how you can protect biodiversity

Tilly Davis (she/her) is a proud descendant of Aboriginal Ancestors from Butchulla/Badjala/Batjala djaa (Country), living and creating on Country. The first Butchulla lore/law "what is good for the land comes first"; cultural custodianship and caring for Country is at the heart of everything she does, whether it's presenting at conferences, volunteering for Seed Mob (Freely's not-for-profit partner) or getting dirty cleaning up Country.

When people hear the word biosecurity, we often think of airports or farms – but apart from that, it’s not well understood.‍

To be honest, before working in the space, I didn't really know what it meant. When caring for Country, it had never crossed my mind.

But in reality, biosecurity is a really important way to protect Country and our plant and animal kin from non-native weeds, pests and diseases.

Before we get into it, I like to remind people that on this continent, there are native pests and diseases that belong here and have an important role in helping to keep Country clean and balanced.

However, colonisation has led to the introduction of more and more invasive weeds, pests and diseases from all around the world – and because these have little-to-no natural bio-controls (aka other native species that keep them in check), they are devastating Country, our native plant and animal kin, and our cultural values and heritage.

For example, Myrtle rust is a rust fungus native to South America that is damaging and killing seedlings and Elder trees on this continent, affecting a broad range of trees and shrubs in the Myrtaceae family.

This is a big deal: we're talking about key species that make up so many different types of Country and provide homes and food for insects, birds, animals and us humans.

They hold deep cultural values for Indigenous people: knowledges, stories, scars from cultural modification, resources, foods, medicines, and totemic and spiritual significance.

The rust is also inhibiting flowering, fruiting and production of seed, impacting pollinators and pollination, fruit-dependant species, and our ability to read seasonal indicators and collect bush fruits. Some of these species are facing functional extinction where they cannot naturally reproduce.

Unfortunately, this isn’t limited to pests and diseases brought here from overseas: even species native to someone’s Country within this continent can harm species in someone else’s Country.

Take the Jamella leafhopper, for example: a sap-sucking insect endemic to so-called North Queensland, where the native parasitoid wasp keeps them in check. Further south away from these wasps, the Jamella leafhopper’s sticky residue can lead to mould or fungal disease.

We can assume that the leafhopper has made its way south as a result of people moving pandanus plants or materials, decimating ecologically and culturally significant pandanus populations down the coast. I have seen the devastation for myself on K’gari.

The important message here is that we all have a responsibility to reduce the risk of spreading of weeds, pests and disease.

Here are some tips for when you’re travelling or spending time on Country:

1.     Come clean, go clean

Inspect your clothes, bags and equipment for any weeds, weed seeds or disease-carriers like dirt or mud – and get rid of them!

Wash dirty shoes or boots with a strong disinfectant and scrubbing brush to make sure they’re not carrying pests or diseases.

Opt for wearing clean clothes, hats and shoes.

Brush any weeds that have stuck to your clothes and boots into a bin bag and dispose of them responsibly.

Keep a 'Come clean, go clean' kit in your car or backpack so you’re always ready to care for Country (include a high-pressure spray bottle, detergent, scrubbing brush, dustpan and broom, binbags and gloves)

2.     Check your gear for live pests ‍

Inspect your bags for destructive exotic ant species – these guys love hopping in backpacks when they’re left on the ground (and their stings hurt too).

Inspect your camping gear, sporting equipment and under your car for pests like cane toads and remove them (these guys love hitchhiking).

3.     Keep it local

Buy fishing bait from where you plan to fish to reduce the risk of introducing new diseases to your favourite fishing spot.

Follow the ‘Buy it where you burn it’ rule and use firewood that’s local to the area.

Keep an eye out for things that don’t belong on Country and report them to the local council, Indigenous ranger groups and/or here.

Talk to your family, friends and community about protecting Country from biosecurity threats.
‍
Hero image of Wentworth Falls on Dharug and Gundungurra Country 📸 Loretta Rosa