𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨: 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙩𝙞𝙝 𝘿𝙧 𝘼𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙚

We are looking for volunteers who are keen observers of the natural environment to contribute knowledge and time to two exciting citizen science projects in 2023.The projects will support the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices specific to Norfolk Island. The projects were designed by Dr Ant Rice, in response to concerns raised by community members about the impacts of pests on local food production. The results will improve our understanding of how pests interact with the unique ecosystem of Norfolk Island and how best to manage them in line with IPM practices. This will support community members to reduce the use of chemicals in food production.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲?Citizen science is reliable data collection by community members. It allows for the collection of regular observational and numerical data across a local area. Citizen science contributes to scientific research while supporting shared learning.What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? IPM practices promote beneficial insects and mites, lowering damage from pest species without the extensive use of chemicals. IPM strategies require a good understanding of agro-ecosystems in which the pests occur.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁?The first project is focused on gathering data to improve our understanding of the behaviour and habitats of the guava moth and avocado spotting bug. We don’t know which species of plants are acting as alternative (reservoir) hosts for these pests. Once we know this, we may be able to reduce pest numbers by reducing the availability of alternative hosts at certain times of year.The second project is focused on identifying natural enemies of the fall armyworm at two stages: eggs and larvae. If we know which species attack the fall armyworm, we may be able to encourage these species and reduce the numbers of this devastating pest.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿?Anyone who is interested in helping! This includes school students, environmental groups, gardeners, food producers and anyone else with some time to spare, an interest in the natural world and a willingness to help. The Norfolk Island Central School has already made a start on one of the projects (thank you!), with results coming in.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲?There is a wide range of roles you can volunteer for, from technical oversight to just looking at – and reporting on – your own backyard. Along your journey, you will be supported by Dr Ant Rice and your fellow community members. We hope to start the projects in February 2023.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲?If this sounds like something you might be interested in and you would like to find out more, please reach out to Bonnie at NIbiosecurity@infrastructure.gov.au and she can provide you with the project overviews.

𝙒𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪!* Please note that this is an initiative from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, which is supported by Norfolk Island Regional Council.