Hardwicke Bay Community Project

August 31st 2009 Hardwicke Bay Community Project
Today we went to help and clean up the community of Hardwicke bay. We were greeted by JAne and Sherrel who took us to the place where we will be cleaning up. They first talked to us about different weeds and how they are affecting our country. We then went to a bit of land with weed over growing on it. First we pulled out all the weeds and we began to dig out a path. It was very hard and tiring digging out the path but when JAne said to us that the community will be very greatful and that their is never many people to help it gave all of us the extra strength that we needed to pull of the digging to make the path. We didnt finish it in the end but we were very close and they were still happy. Afterwards the communtiy supplied us with lunch which was very delicious with ice cream for dessert. At the end I had no regret of helping to make this community I better place.

Questions
Q1: Why are weeds so bad for the environment?
Name 3 weeds you have learned about today.
Boxthorn, horehound and soursob. Weeds spread over land leaving no room for native plants to grow. The plants spread very quickly and native animals die becuase of lack of native plants.

Q2: What role do humans play in the distribution of weeds?
Humans transport weeds from different countries and bring them over by boat.

Q3: What are some of the common ways that weeds spread?
Weeds can spread by the wind and by dropping seeds.

Q4: Are weeds the same all over Australia?
Not all weeds are the same. Different weeds have to adapt to different climate change.

Q5: Is climate change likely to add to the weed problem? If so, how?
It probably would because when it is hot the weeds adapt to that and spread more of it along the coast or country.

Q6: Why do people volunteer to weed and plant local plants in public reserves and areas?
They vollunteer because they want to protect native plants from weeds and they do not want the environment to suffer.

Q7: What can you do?
You can destroy weeds in your backyard and plant native plants.