Weeds – community pest spotters

April 2012. An article on ABC Rural http://www.abc.net.au/rural/qld/content/2012/04/s3474227.htm

told the story of a cubs groups belonging to a Weed Spotters Network (Toowoomba, north Queensland, Australia) that discovered the weed Pathenium as part of their work. Should there be more involvement of the community in keeping a lookout for pests in general? Has the commuity a role to play here?

A member responded from Thailand and told the story of Mikania, mile-a-minute. In the mountainous north there are outbreaks of Mikania along the road and even outside govt offices! If ever there was a case for a rapid response, it is here, but farmers are not aware of the weed, and the potentail problems it might cause, so it is left to grow.