The 76th weeding ecotour since inception in 1995, this week was attended by 16 keen participants. The members were mostly repeats weeders who had visited many times, with Barbara and Barry Clarris on their tenth visit- and they received their ten-year weeding certificates and a turned wooden bowl made from local Sallywood timber; Elizabeth Staraj, Francheska Coenraads and Leonora Coenraads received their 5 weed trip certificates; Brian and Judy Arnold were on their eighth trip. First time weeders were Philip Badger, Marilyn Miller, Mark and Glenda Wardle. Robert Coenraads was assistant leader and had his daughters Francheska and Leonora along, and their cousin Nathan; it is always enjoyable to have children along on these weeks.
The group carried on with follow up work on the Transit Hill Climbing asparagus weeding site. But also became quite attached to removing thick patches of Sea Spurge from the Lagoon dune. Another morning was spent removing garden escapes Buddleia and Yellow trumpet vine from leases.
The group enjoyed many walks – Little Island to call the Providence petrels down, a low tide reef walk, the day at North Bay with a splendid bbq, the Malabar walk; and the clifftop walk behind Ned’s Beach.
During the week, the AGM of the Friends of Lord Howe Island was held at the Museum. Following the brief meeting procedures, the crowd was treated to two presentations on island flora conservation. Sue Bower of the LHI Board gave an update on the Lord Howe weed program; then Carol West from DoC in New Zealand gave a riveting account of Raoul Island (NE of New Zealand) and her latest research into flora recovery following recent volcanic activity there.
