Novel Community Engagement in Plant Biosecurity Final Report... · Novel Community Engagement in Plant ... the need for field based projects, experimental design and formal ... Community

Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre

Final Report

Novel Community Engagement in Plant Biosecurity CRC4065

November 2017

AUTHORS

Shannon Mulholland, Leigh Pilkington and Barbara Hall

Novel Community Engagement in Plant Biosecurity | © Plant Biosecurity CRC 2017 2

© Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre All rights reserved

Project Leader contact details

Name: Leigh Pilkington Address: Biosecurity and Food Safety Department of Primary Industries Central Coast Primary Industries Centre 2258 | Locked Bag 26, Gosford NSW 2250 P: +61 (0)2 4348 1953 E: [email protected]

PBCRC contact details

Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre LPO Box 5012 Bruce ACT 2617

P: +61 (0)2 6201 2882 F: +61 (0)2 6201 5067 E: [email protected] www.pbcrc.com.au

PBCRC gratefully acknowledges funding support from the Australian Government through the Cooperative Research Centres Programme.

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mailto:[email protected]



Contents 1. Executive Summary 4 2. Introduction 4 3. Aims 6 4. Materials and Methods 6 4.1 Teaching Package 6 4.2 Geocaching Component 7 5. Results 9 5.1 Teaching Package 9 5.2 Geocaching Component 9 6. Discussion & Conclusion 13 7. Recommendations 14 8. References 14 9. List of Appendicies 15 10. Abbreviations/glossary 15 11. Appendices 16 Appendix 1: Geocache questionnaires 16 Appendix 2: Pest Watch Biosecurity Geocaches 17 Appendix 3: Example geocache listing on www.geocaching.com 19 Appendix 4: Pest Watch Geocache Catalogue 23


1. Executive Summary

The aim of this project was to develop novel methods for engaging communities in a better understanding of biosecurity matters through education and interaction with the environment. Two separate approaches were trialled: developing biosecurity teaching packages for secondary schools and creating geocaches around NSW as a way of interacting with an active and mobile demographic of the general public. Both projects have been designed to increase awareness of biosecurity issues within the community. Additionally the teaching package aimed to illustrate career opportunities within the agricultural and scientific sectors. A total of four teaching packages were created examining biosecurity issues for the grain and citrus industries respectively with material designed for Year 7 and Year 9 students. Twenty-eight geocaches were created and placed across NSW. The material published within the geocache listings covered a wide range of biosecurity related topics and focused on a number of different primary industries including grain, cotton, citrus, aquaculture, forestry (both pine and native species), grazing land for cattle production, viticulture, as well as domestic and international transport and shipping. By the conclusion of the project over 1000 people had logged visits to the Pest Watch geocache network. This network of caches will remain in place following the conclusion of the project and continue to engage the community.

2. Introduction Community engagement for biosecurity matters needs to be implemented before, during and after an emergency response to be effective within the community. Many successful engagement programs (e.g. ‘Quarantine Matters’) focus on pre-border issues, whereas post-border biosecurity matters are often less visible and the concept of biosecurity is often poorly understood by the general community (Thompson et al, 2009). By starting education at a grass roots level when children are still attending school a greater awareness of biosecurity matters may be achieved within the wider community, building upon existing industry engagement. Providing this education at a secondary school level may have the added bonus of highlighting career options in the sciences and agricultural sectors and further the continuum of biosecurity education. A greater understanding of biosecurity issues may then ultimately help in an emergency response as the core concept of biosecurity and the need for a response (in the event of an incursion) is already understood by the community (Thompson et al, 2009).

Presently, biosecurity communication is typically provided by industry directly to growers, a vital information link that is often not extended to the broader community who are not directly linked with the agricultural sector. It is anticipated that with the successful implementation of this program biosecurity knowledge would be disseminated throughout the community via a trickle-down effect: students would take their classroom knowledge home, discuss with their families and generate discussion and knowledge sharing within the wider community. The difficulty lies in being able to quantify the effectiveness of such programs on a broad scale due to the lack of bi-directional communication.

At the commencement of this project the project team consulted with secondary school teachers to better understand their needs in the classroom. The consultation process identified that there were key areas of the school science and biology curriculum that could be easily met via the creative delivery of a biosecurity teaching package. Components focusing on insect identification and classification, food chains and food webs as well as the need for field based projects, experimental design and formal research projects were key areas the biosecurity teaching package aimed to address. Mapping the teaching material directly to the outcomes required by the curriculum would ensure teachers are able to meet their key deliverables when teaching the program, encouraging uptake of the resource. Feedback from teaching staff identified that successful teaching resources need to be simple and visual and provide all of the required information for the teacher and student alike. By providing a flexible range of resources teachers could opt to use individual components or the entire package and if they desired they could elicit the help of local technical professionals in the delivery of the insect identification component. This would have a twofold benefit by both educating students in the scientific field and highlighting a range of career options in the science and agricultural fields. Developing linkages such as this in the local community could also contribute to ongoing biosecurity surveillance activities with the possible detection of emergency plant pests.


The geocaching community was also identified as an ideal target audience for disseminating biosecurity information, as they are often highly mobile throughout the environment, typically well-educated, exhibit an interest in their natural environment and have an already established network with a global reach (Cord et al, 2015; Patubo, 2010). Geocaching is the 21st century version of hide-and-seek. It began in the United States in 2000 shortly after the removal of “selective availability” whereby the GPS system was made available to the public (previously only available to the US military). The geocaching network has now expanded to include approximately 3 million active geocachers around the globe. Geocaches can be found in over 180 countries and there are just under 3 million active geocaches currently in play (https://www.geocaching.com/press/faq.aspx).

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity in which participants use a GPS to find hidden repositories placed by other geocachers. There is an online component to the “treasure hunt” where geocachers can follow a digital map and online description to the approximate geocache location. Geocaches consist of a physical cache which is typically a small plastic container containing a paper log book hidden and/or camouflaged to avoid detection by non-geocachers. When published online a description is included with features of the cache and the surrounding area, a difficulty rating and size of the cache. In this way geocachers can decide for themselves which geocaches to pursue. Geocachers are motivated by different preferences when seeking caches in part due to the diversity of the participants (Cord et al, 2015). It is a free activity, does not require specialist equipment to commence (aside from the app which can be downloaded for free onto a smartphone) and operates on a “choose your own adventure” premise allowing participants to be as involved as they wish.

Armed with the cache coordinates, description and clues geocachers then set out into the field to find and retrieve the cache. Once found a paper logbook within the cache is signed (as proof of visitation) then the cache is logged as found on the online forum. It is this digital logbook that cachers can opt to comment on the cache and their experience. Often cachers write little more than “found” but many provide detailed descriptions of their experiences, their opinion of the style of the cache and the content of the online description. Geocachers are also encouraged to log the caches they didn’t manage to find, recorded as a Did Not Find or DNF. A number of DNF logs for a cache may indicate there is a problem with the cache, it may have been replaced by the previous geocacher in the wrong spot or it may have been removed by a non-geocacher either maliciously or accidentally mistaking the container as litter. The geocache owner has a responsibility to monitor the logs and identify when there is a problem with the cache and perform maintenance as required.

The existing cache system provides coverage on a wealth of topics concerning the local environment including local geography, historical sites, architecture and infrastructure of local significance, geological features and cultural and historical information. Many caches provide information on the site in question and cite facts, provide figures and illustrations to take geocachers on a virtual tour of significant points. There is one environmental component however that is largely absent from conventional geocaches and that is information on the natural environment, namely the local flora and fauna. There is a substantial potential for community education in this field and, based on feedback from fellow geocachers during the course of this project, this is an area in which they are keen to see more information.

The scientific applications of geocaching are only just being realised. Cord et al (2015) analysed the use of natural areas by geocachers from an outdoor recreation perspective. The New Zealand Department of Environment and Conservation has installed a series of geocaches on offshore islands focusing on the island’s biodiversity recovery post-farming. The geocache on Mana Island requires island visitors to read and interpret a park sign at the entrance to the island detailing site specific information on biosecurity threats and their management. Government departments in the United States have established geocaches within State Parks to educate visitors on pest issues (Emerald Ash Borer pest insect species). Anne Bowser of the Wilson Center, Washington D.C. created FloraCaching as a location-based game similar to geocaching using virtual caches to record plant based phenology information. Dunlap et al. (2014) established ScienceCaching using physical caches to store environmental monitoring equipment and encouraging a citizen science based approach to gather environmental data such as tree trunk circumference and canopy density when logging the cache. Based on current evidence an engagement program program focusing on biosecurity has not been undertaken in Australia until now. The benefit of embedding an education and community engagement program within a geocaching platform is the wide audience it can reach.

The information provides the general public with a basic insight into the issues surrounding biosecurity management and provides a direct link to the biosecurity impact of geocaching activities. It is highly likely that geocachers at some point have inadvertently been responsible for pest transmission around the state (particularly weeds) and this is largely due to ignorance on the issues of pest identification and management. By providing geocachers with key information directly relating to their geocaching activities the potential for accidental pest transmission may be reduced. A greater awareness of the types of species that pose a biosecurity threat will provide the community with an opportunity to effect change in their


behaviour and help to manage pests on a landscape level e.g. inspecting their clothing and belongings for weed seeds and removing them prior to leaving a site. This is particularly critical in the context of geocaching as serious geocachers will visit multiple areas in a short space of time whilst seeking out caches.

3. Aims The project aims to enhance biosecurity awareness in the school and geocaching communities and potentially provide additional surveillance data of benefit to industry. The key objectives at the commencement of the project included:

• Develop and test school projects; • Set up a geocaching site; • Assess the outcomes of the two concepts and refine as needed; • Develop additional projects and sites to expand the coverage.

4. Materials and Methods

4.1 Teaching Package

The National Curriculum currently being rolled out in Australian schools is composed of 3 scientific strands – Scientific Understanding (e.g. biology), Science as a Human Endeavour and Science skills. The teaching packages were designed to address key areas identified in both the National and NSW curriculum to ensure the packages could be used by teachers across the country (the NSW curriculum is similar to the National curriculum but at present only material mapped to the NSW curriculum can be used in NSW schools). A key objective was to engage children in the scientific process through education. A high school in South Australia was identified as a potential test site to trial the teaching material. During the course of the project this was expanded to include a second South Australian school and a NSW school.

An education consultant was engaged at the commencement of the project to compile the teaching resources. This original draft was tested in the SA schools as outlined above. A comprehensive review of all of the documents was undertaken by NSW DPI and SARDI at the end of 2015 following the initial trial and feedback from teachers. The key points raised by teachers during the review process included:

• Material needs to be more concise, students struggle with too much text; • There are too many field sheets and they are too complicated; • Students really enjoyed the classification exercise although it took some time to become confident with the CSIRO

key; • Biosecurity procedures are not clear; • Local agronomists helped with the insect identification although they used different keys which caused a little

confusion; • Students found the unit really engaging and especially enjoyed the field work and use of microscopes; • More information on specific biosecurity threats would be helpful.


The review process has gone to great lengths to address the issues outlined above and further refine the original teaching material. A professional graphic designer was engaged to enhance the “look” of the resources in order to maximise student engagement. The lesson plans were condensed into a single document, along with the necessary field sheets making it more user friendly for teachers. Animated PowerPoint presentations have been developed to walk students through the process of classification before they attempt their own in the practical exercises in an effort to improve their competence using classification keys. Student worksheets were also addressed, reducing the amount of text on the page and including pictures and diagrams sensitive to students’ varying levels of literacy. Clear guidelines on farm biosecurity have been included, based on NSW DPI biosecurity management approaches, in order to provide teachers with the necessary skills to safely interact with a “live” farm to undertake the insect sampling exercise. This approach also incorporates the concept of biosecurity management more comprehensively into the lesson plans. Professor Ruth Wallace from the PBCRC was also consulted regarding mapping the resource to the VET curriculum. Ultimately it was decided to not undertake the VET mapping for the resources. VET students undertaking scientific or agricultural training typically operate at a Certificate II level or above whereas this training package is designed for secondary students and perhaps equivalent to a Certificate I level standard and there would have been little value added by mapping it to the VET system. Resources within the teaching package are still available to be incorporated into a VET training program if the teacher desired as the material is complementary to current agricultural training programs. .

The updated material was distributed to the trial schools in SA and NSW earlier in 2016. Towards the end of the fourth term, 2016, the teachers were again contacted directly for feedback on the resource as it currently stands in order to make any necessary adjustments prior to the conclusion of the project. The resource is now available through the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) website Primezone (https://www.primezone.edu.au) and is freely accessible by the general public and teaching staff alike as of October 2017.. PIEFA has compiled a nationwide network of teaching resources (through the Primezone platform) that provides teachers with a simple link to material that is mapped to their curriculum needs. It is anticipated that linking the biosecurity teaching material created during this project to this network will vastly enhance its reach into the classroom.

4.2 Geocaching Component

A desktop survey of key biosecurity issues affecting primary industries in NSW was conducted at the commencement of the project. Feedback was also sought from industry experts (in the field of biosecurity management) to identify key areas or species that are a current biosecurity focus for NSW. Information from surveillance officers was also sourced to ensure that any surveillance-based geocaches were able to generate data usable by industry. The most popular online platform for geocaching around the world is https://www.geocaching.com and is operated by Groundspeak, Inc. This was the platform selected to operate the geocaches for this project due to the sheer size of its audience and potential global reach of information. It also provides a free and well developed app for participants. Initially the project had sought to develop its own app however it was deemed unnecessary due to the availability of an already established platform such as by https://www.geocaching.com. An account was established under the code name Pest Watch, which identifies all geocaches created under this project as being owned by Pest Watch. The geocaching community (specifically the regulatory bodies which review and allow the publication of new geocaches) was approached to ascertain their acceptance of the project concept. It was well received but caution was urged to ensure all caches meet the guidelines outlined by https://www.geocaching.com. Communication was also initiated with the local geocaching community to promote the project and generate interest in local geocaches.

Placement of the geocaches required consideration of the local terrain, available hiding spots and geocache saturation. The aim was to create simple caches (difficulty ratings of 1.5 out of 5) to attract all skill levels and locate caches in easily accessible, high traffic areas to maximise visitation. Metropolitan caches can experience high visitation due to the high population however these areas often also incur high cache saturation. There were several areas that were explored for cache placement (including Sydney, Newcastle and Armidale) where safe, suitable hiding places linked to a biosecurity theme were not able to be identified, in part due to cache saturation and the need to adhere to the 161m rule (the rule states that caches must be placed no closer than 161m to reduce inter-cache interference and cache saturation of an area). When selecting a suitable location the following requirements were considered:

• Safety: caches must be placed so as not to encourage risk taking behaviour or are likely to incur an injury on the geocacher retrieving the cache;

• Parking: caches should be located near suitable parking, also for safety reasons;

https://www.geocaching.com/




• Interference: caches must be camouflaged and located in such a way as to minimise interference from non-geocachers;

• Environment: sensitive environments that were unlikely to withstand visitor activity and trampling were avoided (Patubo, 2010), as were locations with existing severe weed infestations so as to reduce weed dispersal;

• Perception: geocachers generally employ stealth when retrieving geocaches so as to reduce interference by non-geocachers. This type of behaviour may attract unwanted attention from authorities at the best of times but may be enhanced if the cache was in the vicinity of a school, government building, defence facility or airport for example. The cache itself may also cause unwanted public alarm if placed in these areas in the event it is mistaken as malicious e.g. an explosive device.

Effort has been made in providing clever cache containers and camouflage in an effort to attract geocachers. Many geocachers opt for a simple lunchbox style container hidden under a log and whilst this approach works it can be very repetitive when every geocacher in the area uses the same approach. NSW DPI has attempted to set itself apart by creating a small degree of challenge in finding the cache, which is strongly encouraged by the geocaching community. Professional looking geocache containers have also been purchased from online retailers which seem to cause a great deal of excitement from geocachers as they are rarely seen in the field. Pest Watch geocaches have also been hung in trees, suspended from retractable cords, hidden on buildings with magnets and disguised as bolts, insects, birds, snails, locusts and mushrooms. This effort in the camouflage not only contributes to the fun of the activity but generates a lot of positive discussion on the geocache log page, which in turn draws in other geocachers who are curious to see what the cache is.

The first four geocaches installed in the field were placed in a circuit around the Ourimbah campus of the University of Newcastle. Each cache contained information on biosecurity issues with all four caches loosely connected in the event that geocachers followed the loop and found all four caches at once. Suitable hiding places were found and four geocaches were constructed.

The coordinates were posted to the cache page listed on https://www.geocaching.com under the Pest Watch account and the biosecurity content was published as part of the online description with the intent that as geocachers were researching the cache they would also be reading the biosecurity listing in a form of “accidental” learning. This methodology was initially tested as a proof of concept, and then expanded to include other geographical regions and additional biosecurity topics. Each cache contained unique information, design and camouflage to appeal to the geocaching community. The more creative the camouflage or elaborate the retrieval system the more the geocachers favoured the cache. Geocachers can even award “favourite” points for particularly interesting caches which in turn attracts further visitors to the cache. Pest Watch geocaches received a total of 37 favourite points pertaining to 11 of the caches. Where possible, trade items designed to be collected by participants (small objects of low monetary value commonly incorporated in caches) were included utilising a biosecurity theme (e.g. small plastic insects) or incorporating biosecurity content such as fliers on fruit fly management or FeralScan cards produced by NSW DPI and “Spotted anything unusual?” postcards developed by Plant Health Australia.

Most cache listings merely presented information to the geocaching audience. The concept of encouraging geocachers to undertake an entry/exit survey process to determine the level of biosecurity knowledge within the geocaching community was explored. An entry survey was developed on the first cache placed on the Ourimbah campus of the University of Newcastle. It consisted of a series of questions assessing the geocachers basic knowledge of biosecurity. An exit survey was placed on the last cache in the circuit to assess if the geocacher, having completed the previous three caches had a greater understanding of biosecurity issues (the answers to the questions were provided in the online geocache listings). Engagement exercises were included in two caches encouraging geocachers to mention biosecurity and weed threats they knew of. A surveillance exercise was also trialled where a detailed description was provided of a biosecurity threat (in this instance Giant Pine Scale Marchalina hellencia) and geocachers were encouraged to include a “present” or “absent” record when logging their find. It was anticipated that this sentinel site could then possibly trigger further investigation by local biosecurity officers should any “present” records be identified. The questionnaires have been provided in Appendix 1. All survey responses were designed to be included in the online cache listing when geocachers log their find and the listings were constantly monitored for feedback. The process for responding to the survey has been kept strictly voluntary (in accordance with Groundspeak guidelines) however despite our best efforts participants simply opted not to respond. Due to the lack of responses this methodology was eventually abandoned. Further details for this process have been provided in Section 5.2.



To expand the reach of the geocaching concept news of the project was published in internal NSW DPI newsletters and several staff volunteered to place caches in their region. Caches were constructed and posted to the various offices along with instructions for their placement (a “How to” guide was created for this purpose). This process allowed two new caches to be published in the Dareton area, two in the Camden area and two in the Orange area. An additional staff member offered to place a cache in the Sydney area however unfortunately a suitable location was not identified.

5. Results

5.1 Teaching Package

Seven lesson plans have been developed for Year 7 Science based on the grain industry and citrus industry respectively. The lesson plans focus on insect identification and classification and address the “Science understanding (biology section)” area of the National Curriculum. Eight lesson plans have been developed for Year 9 Science based on the grain industry and citrus industry respectively. These lessons focus on insect identification and classification in the context of food webs linked to pest management (i.e. identifying insects in the crop that are likely to be beneficial or pests and/or biosecurity threats ) and address the “Science understanding (biology section)” and “Science Inquiry Skills” areas of the National Curriculum. All of the material was aligned to the NSW and National curriculums to enable the material to be taught in schools across Australia.

The lesson plans introduce students to the concept of biosecurity and class-based exercises on insect classification. Students then conduct a field exercise (on a local farm or school grounds) to trap insects using sticky traps and pitfall traps. The contents are then examined back in the classroom and the student’s key out insects to Order level. Students then examine which insects are likely to be pests and then further explore the concept of surveillance in terms of identifying biosecurity threats. Teachers are encouraged to enlist the help of local specialists (e.g. agronomists) to aid in the identification process and identification keys and PowerPoint animations have been provided in the resource to fulfil this task. The process of reporting potential biosecurity threats to the authorities is also provided in the event that the surveillance exercise may identify an insect of interest.

Three schools were involved in the trial and although all provided feedback on the content of the package ultimately only one school actually taught the material in class (Cummins Area School). This decision was made by the teachers based on their teaching strategy for the year and was beyond the control of the project team. The feedback from teachers at the conclusion of the project (obtained December 2016) was very positive. Teachers indicated that the material had improved dramatically from its initial state. All of the issues raised in the 2015 review had been adequately addressed and the appearance of the documents will ensure ease of teaching and increased engagement with the students.

5.2 Geocaching Component

Great care has been taken to ensure compliance with Groundspeak’s regulations, resulting in the successful publication of all of the Pest Watch geocaches. During the consultation process with the local geocaching community geocachers expressed great desire to learn more about their environment and ensure they were not causing harm by undertaking their hobby. A similar message was echoed by the feedback posted on the individual cache pages. Many geocachers admitted their knowledge of biosecurity matters was poor and they expressed gratitude for the educational lesson, presented in a relatable and easily understandable way. Table 1 outlines the number of logs per cache and the positive feedback received that directly related to the biosecurity and educational content (as of 22 December 2016). Positive feedback was defined as any comment directly referencing the material or educational process, positive comments on the camouflage or location of the cache have not been included in this calculation. No negative feedback on the material or project concept has been received to date.

Table 1: Geocache Feedback

Geocache Total number of cache logs Education References

Unwanted Hitchhikers 45 4


Bugs and things 65 5

Water Bugs 105 3

Educated Bugs 111 0

Travelling Trucks 28 1

Gotta love those grapes! 114 8

Land of plenty 23 2

Birds and the bees 21 3

Figs and fences 25 5

Highway Hijackers 53 5

Weedy Water 41 6

Lovely Dale 22 4

Hermitage Grange 31 2

Old Northern Invertebrates 46 4

Fields of Gold 21 3

Flying Fruit 5 0

Cotton On 10 0

Hoppers 18 5

Grain Mountain 6 0

Bush Bugs 24 4

Long-horned Beetles 25 5

Nautical Navigators 107 2

Snail’s Pace 42 3

Scaly Pines 11 3

Protecting the Pines 17 2

Rusty Trees 16 1

Mosaic Cucumbers 8 2

Lacey Bugs 5 0

TOTAL 1045 logs 82 education references


As of December 2016 NSW DPI had installed a total of 28 active geocache sites around the state. Since the commencement of the project the geocaches have received a combined total of 1045 logged visits (as of 22 December 2016). Four of the geocaches recorded over 100 logged visits each. Geocaches are based around the Central Coast, upper and lower Hunter Valley, Dareton, Orange, Temora, Camden, Narromine and Dubbo areas. One geocache has since had to be deactivated in the Dareton area due to interference by non-geocachers, two other caches have had to be replaced after being removed by a third party. A full list of active geocaches can be found in Appendix 2. An example of what a cache listing looks like when posted on https://www.geocaching.com can be found in Appendix 3. Live cache listings (and their logs) can be viewed through the Groundspeak website by either searching for the cache code or cache name. The full catalogue of the geocache contents (as they appeared online) has been included in Appendix 4.

Figure 1 details the relative age of each geocache and the number of visits recorded during the term of the project. It is worthwhile noting that the caches listed with an asterisk indicate caches located at Visitor Information Centres or in proximity to tourist information signs. As one would expect caches placed for the longest period achieved a high number of visitations however caches placed in high traffic areas (caches GC6FNER: Nautical Navigators and GC679G7 Gotta love those grapes!) rapidly attracted a high level of visitation, likely due to the proximity of a higher geocaching population.

Figure 1: Cache visitation relative to cache age and location

The biosecurity content of the geocaches ranges from general biosecurity information (what is it? how does it affect me?) through to regionally specific information on biosecurity threats pertinent to the local primary industries. Relevant biosecurity information has been provided on the grain (growing and storage), grape, citrus, bee keeping, aquaculture, cotton and transport industries as well as general on-farm biosecurity, Myrtle rust, locust plagues and domestic and international quarantine issues. The content looks briefly at the industry concerned then elaborates on current and potential biosecurity threats, their mode of transport and what can be done to help prevent the introduction of new pests and diseases to the area. Links have been provided to biosecurity websites if participants are interested in learning more and the role NSW DPI plays in biosecurity management is mentioned. Information is also provided on the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline and encourages participants to utilise this reporting mechanism if they suspect a biosecurity threat. Geocachers in SA and WA were also contacted to further the program beyond NSW but despite initial enthusiasm a suitable candidate has not been found.

Promotion of the geocaching project has included the publication of articles for several newsletters including internal NSW DPI newsletters and the Deputy Director General of Biosecurity and Food Safety newsletter, an article for the Farm Link newsletter The Link and an article for the PBCRC The Leaflet. Contact has also been made with the Australian geocaching network Geocaching NSW to publish an article on their website however no response could be obtained from the organisation.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Number of geocache logs Age (months)



A valuable network that has been identified during the state-wide rollout has been the Visitor Information Centres scattered across the state. So far five centres have been approached to place geocaches on their grounds. All readily accepted and caches were installed at four centres, the fifth was unfortunately too close to existing geocaches. Their location in busy public areas and high tourist traffic has provided a highly effective mutual benefit. Geocachers are accessing centres they may not have previously sought out and local tourist’s visiting the centre stop to grab a geocache whilst they are there. Feedback from geocachers and centre staff at these sites to date has been very positive and the caches are consistently receiving high visitation. A selection of typical feedback from geocachers visiting the Pest Watch geocaches has been provided below:

• Well done Pest Watch this is an impressive series • Thanks for the fun and learning along the way…Biosecurity is something I’ve never really consciously thought

about while geocaching, although I’ve had many conversations with the geo-kids about how weeds spread etc. Now something I’ve learnt for the day, I shall be more conscious of plucking farmer’s friends and what not off me before moving onto the next cache

• I’ve heard of myrtle rust but not the other ones, I’m generally out in the bush once every week or two, mostly for geocaching. It’s always saddening to see invasive species destroying our bushland. Many thanks for a nice hide themed on an important topic

• Thanks for the educational description • We have returned from Canada to discover a few more Australian caches! What a great way to explore the Land

Down Under • Thankyou! Great write up about pest management, very educational! • A most educational description, I must say. Helped me understand the sign on the way in about not bringing any

grape vines out of the Valley.

Figure 2 depicts several of the Pest Watch geocaches that have been placed in the field.

Figure 2: Pest Watch geocaches


Several geocaches were constructed with a survey embedded in the description. Unfortunately this approach has not proven very successful with only eight of the 1000+ participants responding to the survey questions. Table 2 outlines the results of the eight respondents. The results for the “list biosecurity threats” survey for the Figs and Fences cache produced some interesting results, illustrating the lack of understanding of what constitutes a biosecurity threat and known threats for NSW. Responses typically occur early in the life of the cache then decline over time. Although feedback on the biosecurity content to date has been positive in the geocache logs it is difficult to measure the effect of the biosecurity content on the user. The possibility of developing targeted surveys for engaged geocachers was explored based on the premise that a small survey could be distributed at a geocache event with geocachers invited to participate. This was not able to be implemented however based on further advice from Groundspeak and their rules regarding soliciting information from participants.

Table 2: Survey responses

Geocache Respondents Results

Water Bugs 1 out of 105 logs

I’ve heard of myrtle rust but not the other ones. I’m generally out in the bush once every week or two, mostly for geocaching.

Bugs and things

2 out of 65 logs

Government agencies such as NSW DPI are responsible for biosecurity. If a new biosecurity threat was identified the ultimate goal would be to eradicate the species from NSW or monitor it and see what happens. Further information required nil*

Figs and fences

3 out of 25 logs

Fruit Flies

Blue green algae

Lantana

Scaly Pines 2 out of 11 logs

Not a sign of a pest

No scales

*response was the same for both respondents

6. Discussion & Conclusion There has been a great deal of discussion with science teachers in South Australia. They identified a need for projects that utilise and build on resources already available and that are simple, visual, located on line and in the classroom, that are practical and stand alone. Complete packages have been prepared including teacher resources, background information, PowerPoint presentations, interactive animations and glossaries in the areas of insect identification and classification. Year 7 is focusing on the "Classification" in the Science understanding (biology section) and Year 9 is focusing on "Ecosystems" in the Science understanding (biology section) and "Field work" in the Science Inquiry Skills section. The material will be uploaded to the PIEFA site PrimeZone in 2017 to enable access by teachers Australia wide.

Liaison with local geocachers at geocaching events was very positive. Attendees were generally excited to see a new cache format and were very welcoming of any type of environmental education. It has been noted that attendees have directly sought out local Pest Watch geocaches as a function of the meetings and learning about the project.

The biosecurity geocaches may be able to remain active beyond the project life, enabling the biosecurity awareness message to continue. Discussion with the PBCRC has resolved to leave the caches in situ until they need to be removed (i.e. they break down or are stolen) at which time they will be disabled in the online platform rendering them inactive. This approach requires almost no effort on the part of the technical team but allows the biosecurity message to be sustained for as long as possible. All data collection will, however, cease at the end of 2016 aligned to the original project concept.


Finding new ways of disseminating information to new sectors of the community is a challenging but necessary exercise. Maximising visitation is a critical component to the success of a project of this nature. The reach of program operating from an international platform stretches beyond borders and in this case has even attracted the attention of geocachers from the UK, Canada and Belgium that we know of to date (based on feedback through the geocache logs). It provides information in a unique way and contributes an educational element to a well-established outdoor recreation activity. Ensuring that technical content is provided in such a manner that is accessible by all levels of the community is vital to the success of any awareness and engagement program.

There may be an opportunity into the future of combining the two programs. Developing an in-school based geocaching project can incorporate an outdoor recreation activity and biosecurity awareness in the same lesson. The surveillance exercise could take the form of searching out geocache “pests” and learning about biosecurity threats in a unique way. This style of practical based learning may appeal to students who favour outdoor activities but may also appeal to students with a penchant for technology. The exercise could be conducted offline (so as not to attract unwanted visitors to a school) but using technology such as a GPS or tablet and in doing so expanding the capacity of the lessons to include maths, technology and sports based elements..

7. Recommendations There have been several recommendations made by the project team for the ongoing success of the resources developed in this project:

• Ensure the biosecurity teaching package remains in the public domain for schools to adopt and use as necessary; • A “How to” manual was developed for the geocaching project. As part of the deliverables for this project it will be

released to the PBCRC for future geocaching awareness campaigns and could be published on their website; • Promote the concept of the geocaching approach to other state and local agencies that wish to communicate a

message about a particular threat or incursion that this approach is a useful way of disseminating information to a broader spectrum of society. It is a simple, cost effective way of potentially reaching a large audience with a specific message. In particular utilising the Visitor Centre network may help to maximise visitation and also reduces maintenance as the centre staff may be able to assist with the monitoring and management of the cache;

• Remaining funds from the project be retained by the project team to facilitate the publication of several popular media articles directing people towards the resources;

• The biosecurity teaching package may be able to be used as a template of sorts to be adapted by other industries with a vested interest in biosecurity. They may be able to customise it suit their industry/biosecurity issues and in turn promote the concept themselves. The material has been designed to be flexible in its delivery and easily modified to focus on a variety of agricultural situations. This reduces the resources required in developing future teaching material for biosecurity education purposes. Industries can champion the message themselves to their local schools by using existing or developing new contacts with local communities. Not only can they promote biosecurity awareness they can also increase awareness of industries that support the local community and the associated career opportunities that the industry can provide;

Extension officers and education officers across state and local agencies can assist in promoting the biosecurity message directly to their local schools. The material can be used partially or in full in a variety of situations and could be used to cross promote careers in agriculture by interacting with locally based scientists.

8. References Cord A, Roeßiger F, Schwarz N, 2015. Geocaching data as an indicator for recreational ecosystem services in urban areas: Exploring spatial gradients, preferences and motivations. Landscape and Urban Planning, 144: 151-162.

Groundspeak (2016) Geocaching: Media FAQs. https://www.geocaching.com/press/faq.aspx

Patubo B, 2010. Environmental impacts of human activity associated with geocaching. California Polytechnic State University, Digital Commons @ CalPoly.

https://www.geocaching.com/press/faq.aspx


Thompson L, Stenekes N, Kruger H, Carr A, 2009. Engaging in biosecurity: Literature review of community engagement approaches. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra.

9. List of Appendices Appendix 1: Geocache questionnaires

Appendix 2: Pest Watch Biosecurity Geocaches

Appendix 3: Geocache Listing on www.geocaching.com

Appendix 4: Pest Watch Geocache Catalogue

10. Abbreviations/glossary

GLOSSARY DEFINITION

Geocache/cache A physical container containing a paper log book hidden somewhere in the environment as part of the outdoor recreational exercise of geocaching

Geocacher A person who participates in geocaching

Favourite points

Favoured geocaches can be awarded a favourite point, indicates the cache is of above average quality. Geocachers can award 1 point for every 10 caches found

http://www.geocaching.com/


11. Appendices

Appendix 1: Geocache questionnaires

Survey Type Geocache Name

Questionnaires Responses

Entry survey Water Bugs GC4Z5RQ

1. Which of these terms have you heard of before? a. Phytophthora b. Myrtle Rust c. Come Clean Go Clean d. I’m not familiar with these terms

2. How often do you visit bushland areas? a. Rarely or never b. A few times a year c. About once a month d. At least once a week

3. What activities do you undertake in these areas? a. Adventure b. Exercise c. Recreation d. Site management

1

Exit survey Bugs and things GC66KFB

1. Who is responsible for biosecurity? a. The general public and tourists b. Farmers c. Government agencies such as NSW DPI d. All of the above

2. If a new biosecurity threat was identified what is the ultimate goal?

a. To eradicate the species from NSW b. Monitor it and see what happens c. Nothing, there are already too many pests to deal with

Is there an area of biosecurity that you would like more information on? (write your comments when you log your find)

2

Engagement exercise

Figs and fences GC6B2XH

Just for fun feel free to list any biosecurity threats you know about for Australia when you log your find. Let’s see how many we can get!

3

Surveillance exercise

Scaly Pines GC6KEX4

Where this geocache is located simply inspect the nearest pine tree for the presence or absence of Giant Pine Scale. Write your comments when you log your find.

2


Appendix 2: Pest Watch Biosecurity Geocaches

GC Code Name Location Topic Number of visits

GC4A31T Educated Bugs Ourimbah university campus

General biosecurity 111

GC4Z5RQ Water Bugs Ourimbah university campus


GC66KCT Unwanted hitchhikers

Ourimbah university campus

Weed transmission 45

GC66KFB Bugs and things Ourimbah university campus


GC679G7 Gotta love those grapes!

Pokolbin Visitor Centre

Grapevine Phylloxera 114

GC679G7 Travelling Trucks Singleton Pest transmission via vehicles and equipment

28

GC6B2T9 Birds and the bees Paterson Bee biosecurity 21

GC6B2XH Figs and fences Maitland Farm biosecurity 25

GC6B5ZR Land of plenty Tocal Farm biosecurity and education 23

GC6BCQ1 Highway Hijackers Kariong Visitor Centre Domestic quarantine 53

GC6DA3G Hermitage Grange Pokolbin Grape biosecurity 31

GC6DCA9 Lovely Dale Pokolbin General biosecurity, weed transmission 22

GC6D2JF Weedy Water Lake Macquarie (Cams Wharf)

Caluerpa, aquatic biosecurity 41

GC6DC53 Old Northern Invertebrates

Wisemans Ferry Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome, aquaculture biosecurity

46

GC6EK8T Flying Fruit Dareton* Fruit Fly 5

GC6ENCG Long-horned beetles Dareton Citrus Longicorn Beetle 25

GC6ENF3 Hoppers Dunedoo Locusts 18

GC6ENFX Cotton on Narromine Cotton biosecurity 10

GC6F09A Fields of Gold Temora Grain biosecurity 21

GC6F0D1 Bush bugs Temora Grain biosecurity 24

GC6F0E9 Grain mountain Narromine Stored grain biosecurity 6

GC6FNER Nautical navigators Newcastle International shipping and biosecurity surveillance

107

GC6HBNX Snail’s pace Dubbo Visitor Centre General biosecurity 42


GC6KEX4 Scaly Pines Orange Giant Pine Scale 11

GC6KEYN Protecting the Pines Orange Exotic Pine Nematode 17

GC6QN99 Rusty Trees Murrurundi Myrtle Rust 17

GC6X9A4 Lacey Bugs Camden Sycamore Lace Bug 5

GC6X9A1 Mosaic Cucumbers Camden Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus 8

* Cache has been deactivated due to interference


Appendix 3: Example geocache listing on www.geocaching.com

http://www.geocaching.com/





Appendix 4: Pest Watch Geocache Catalogue

Birds and the Bees – Paterson

Bees are an essential part of life as we know it. Around the world bees pollinate thousands of plants, over 400 of which we as humans depend on for our food. It has been proposed that without bees humans would cease to exist in as little as 4 years!

There are around 25,000 different bee species and they produce honey and wax which is used by a number of industries. Backyard beekeepers are becoming increasingly popular these days both in order to boost bee numbers as well as providing fresh home-grown honey. It is important for everyone who keeps bees to look after them and keep the hive healthy and pest free.

There has been concern of late surrounding the decline in bee numbers. Blame has been placed on pesticide use as the culprit but new research now points the finger at a virus which is affecting bee populations around the world. It is suspected that people are partly to blame by helping to transport the virus between bee colonies as hives are moved around. By improving biosecurity measures we may be able to help in the management of this virus and other bee pests and diseases.

Biosecurity is the protection of the environment, community and economy from the impact of exotic pests and diseases. Honey bee biosecurity is designed to protect bee hives from the arrival and spread of pests. Surveillance is critical to detect any new pests or disease. If a pest or disease is found it should be reported and controlled immediately to stop it spreading to other hives. Pests reduce honey yield and affect bee health and also increase costs and effort involved in looking after the hive.

We are fortunate in Australia, being an island that we are free from many pests, and we need to keep it that way! There are several pests that don't yet occur in Australia including Varroa and Tropilaelaps mites (which feed on the adult bees and their larvae) and Trachael mite (which affect the bee's ability to breathe). These pests are a high priority for biosecurity to keep them out of the country and protect Australia's honey industry.

There are a number of pests already established in Australia which require action if they are detected, including American foulbrood (a bacterial disease that kills larvae), Asian honey bee (an exotic pest that robs honey from hives and competes for flowers), Black queen cell virus (a virus that kills queen bee larvae) and Greater wax moth (pest that eats honeycomb and larvae).

There are 6 easy ways to look after bee hives:

• Be aware of bee biosecurity threats • Use pest-free honey bee stock and apiary equipment. Get material from trusted pest-free sources and keep

records of all incoming material • Keep it clean! Good hygiene will keep bees fit and healthy and will help prevent entry and establishment of pests.

Workers, visitors, equipment and vehicles can spread pests so employ a "Come Clean Go Clean" policy • Surveillance - check your hives regularly and report any new pests or unusual symptoms. Keep records of any

unusual observations • Abide by any laws and regulations that exist to protect honey bees • Report anything unusual to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881

If you keep honey bees be aware of your responsibilities and monitor your bees for signs of pests and disease. You can find a wealth of information in the Bee Biosecurity Manual for Beekeepers produced by Plant Health Australia or you can contact the NSW Department of Primary Industries for more information. Keeping Aussie bees safe and healthy will help keep the honey flowing!


This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the Biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment and primary industries of NSW. NSW DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases. Further information on this and other Biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the NSW DPI website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity


Bugs and things – Ourimbah campus, University of Newcastle

Congratulations you’ve made it to the 4th and last cache in a series on the University of Newcastle, Ourimbah campus looking at Biosecurity. If you have found the other PestWatch geocaches around the university hopefully by now you have a better understanding of what biosecurity is and how it is applied in the real world. If you haven't found the others yet the “Loop” can easily be done on foot or jump in your geomobile as the caches are not far from the road. Protecting our environment is the responsibility of all who use it and all who rely on it - including the general public, tourists, farmers, industry and government agencies. The ultimate goal of biosecurity is to prevent new pests from entering NSW. Where this cannot be done the aim is to quickly find and eradicate new species before they become established and to minimise the impact of pests, weeds and diseases that can’t be eradicated. Myrtle Rust

Myrtle rust (Puccinia psidii) is a fungal disease affecting native plants in the Myrtaceae family which includes eucalyptus, willow myrtle, turpentine, bottlebrush, paperbark, tea tree and lilly pilly. It kills leaves and young shoots and may impact on the regeneration of native forests.

Pests are sneaky. They can hide in the most unlikely of places and are often so small they cannot easily be seen by the naked eye. Being mindful of where we go and how we do it can reduce the chance of accidentally transporting pests and disease.

This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches designed to provide valuable environmental information to the geocaching community and increase public awareness of what biosecurity is. Follow the Pest Watch geocaches to learn more about biosecurity issues in your area.

If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. If you want to learn more about what biosecurity is or pests that might affect your area, the NSW DPI website has a lot of great resources: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.

Would you like to participate in real world science? Click here to complete a 5 second survey on biosecurity.

The survey is only 3 multiple choice questions and is trying to engage fellow geocachers in the scientific process by understanding how much you know about biosecurity. This information can help tailor future education programs, it is anonymous and strictly voluntary.

Ensure you and your car arrive on site clean and free of seeds and mud

Remove any seeds and mud from you and your car before leaving site

Restrict the movement of pests and prevent new

infestations



Bush Bugs - Temora

The Temora region exists within the heart of the NSW grain belt. Crops such as wheat, canola are plentiful. Although every farm is different a common threat they all face is exotic pests and diseases. The management of the harm from these pests and diseases is referred to as Biosecurity.

Farmers have to employ a range of measures to keep pests and diseases out of their crop as their livelihood depends on it. Some common biosecurity measures employed to keep nasty bugs out of the bush include:

What happens if you find an unusual pest?

• Limit access to the area and mark the location • Don’t touch or move the affected plant • Wash anything that has come in contact with the affected plant and soil such as hands, clothing, footwear and

equipment • Restrict movement of people, animals and equipment near the affected area • Call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. This free hotline is open to the general public and covers

commercial farms right down to backyard vegie gardens. A pest specialist will confirm the identity of the pest and advise the appropriate management.

There are often simple ways to identify a pest insect. The picture below shows a few common insects that can be found in stored grain in silos. Simple yes or no questions lead you to right insect.

Surveillance

Regularly inspect crops and stored grain in silos for signs of insects or disease

Reporting

Report unusual signs or symptoms to the Exotic Plant pest Hotline on 1800 084 881

Managing people movement

Follow biosecurity signs and arrive on site with clean footwear and clothing

Vehicle and equipment movement

Restrict vehicle movements, park in designated areas and adopt a "Come Clean Go Clean" policy

Manage farm inputs

Ensure seed and other inputs such as livestock fodder are sourced from clean and reputable sources


This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the Biosecurity of NSW, developed by NSW Department of Primary Industries. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. NSW DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.

Further information on this and other Biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the NSW DPI Biosecurity website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant pest or disease you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.



Cotton On - Narromine

Cotton is grown in 152 communities in eastern Australia from Emerald in Qld to Griffith in NSW. You can wear it, sleep in it and animals can eat it. Cotton is grown around the world in over 100 countries. Australian cotton is renowned for being high quality and around 26 million tonnes are produced each year, which makes up about 3% of global production. More than 90% of Australian cotton is exported, mainly to Asia.

Cotton farmers face many challenges between sowing and harvest with pest management one of their key concerns. This is often referred to as biosecurity management. Biosecurity is the protection of the economy, environment and community from the negative impacts of pests, diseases and weeds. The primary goal of biosecurity is to prevent new pests from arriving and helping to control outbreaks when they occur.

There are a number of biosecurity threats to the cotton industry in Australia. These pests do not yet occur in Australia and great effort is put into preventing them from ever arriving. These pests exist in cotton growing areas overseas and cause untold damage. Some high priority threats include:

• Fusarium Wilt (a fungus that stunts growth and causes the plant to die) • Bacterial Blight (bacterium that causes defoliation, that is all the leaves fall off) • Cotton Aphid (an aphid that feeds on cotton plant sap and introduces infection) • Cotton Boll Weevil (weevil that eats the plant, lays its eggs in the cotton boll) • Spider Mites (tiny mites that damage the leaves) • Tarnished Plant Bug (green-yellow bug from North America that damages the plant) • Texas Root Rot (fungus that kills the leaves and roots)

Farmers have to take special precautions to manage the risk of harmful pests coming onto their properties. Typically farmers manage biosecurity threats through a combination of surveillance and property management. Farmers must monitor the growing crop for evidence of pests and disease and treat them accordingly. If they find any unusual symptoms or suspect they may have found one of the biosecurity threats listed above they report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. This is a free hotline available to the public to report suspected biosecurity threats. A specialist then confirms what the pest actually is and then takes the necessary action.

Farmers also have to manage what is coming and going from their property. They have to manage people entering the property especially if they have been overseas as they might accidentally introduce a pest or disease onto the property.

They also control what vehicles and equipment come and go from the property. Vehicles may have to park in designated areas. If any pest is on the vehicle it can “hop off” in the carpark instead of the middle of the crop. They also inspect equipment to make sure it is clean and free of plant matter which might be harbouring small insects or plant diseases. Employing a simple “Come Clean Go Clean” policy greatly reduces the risk of introducing new pests onto a property.

If the farm is a mixed farm with crops and livestock farmers also need to check new animals coming onto the property as well as any feed as there might be small insects, weed seeds or even plant diseases hidden within.

It is a multi-billion dollar industry that provides countless jobs and a valuable fibre product. Australian farmers need to protect their farms from exotic biosecurity threats to ensure the future of cotton farming in NSW.

This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. NSW DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion or spread of plant pests and diseases.

If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the NSW DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.



Fields of Gold - Temora

Golden wheat fields stretching to the horizon are an iconic image of rural Australia. Wheat crops were first planted in the Sydney area by Governor Phillip and soon expanded into the vast open plains beyond the Blue Mountains and grew further as new settlements opened up around the country. The grain belt in NSW runs diagonally across the center of the state. All of the wheat and barley and most of the oats grown in NSW are grown in this region. Canola and rice are grown in southern NSW and sorghum, sunflowers and cotton are grown in the north of the state.

Wheat is the main winter grain grown in NSW. There are soft and hard wheat varieties - soft is used for milling flour, bread and cakes and hard wheat is used for making pasta and noodles. Around 200,000 tonnes are harvested annually in NSW.

Apart from the elements farmers also have to battle a range of pests in order to make it to harvest. They then have to battle pests in the stored grain so that there is some product left at sale time. Australia’s wheat industry is blessedly free of some of the nastier grain pests that affect overseas crops. Biosecurity is the protection of the economy, environment and community from the harmful effects of pests and disease. It is a shared responsibility and is vital to the protection of agricultural industries in NSW.

Some of the key biosecurity threats faced by the NSW wheat industry (pests that don’t yet occur in Australia) include:

• Karnal Bunt: a disease which destroys grain and would restrict access to over 45 global markets (meaning farmers wouldn’t be able to sell their grain and earn a living)

• Khapra beetle: a tiny beetle that infests stored grain. The larvae eat the grain and shed their furry skins which contaminates the grain that is left

• Russian wheat aphid: sap-sucking insect which damages leaves and stems • Hessian Fly: mosquito-looking insect. Larvae attack stems, leaves and heads of cereals • Sunn Pest: sap-sucking bug that damages grain • Wheat stem rust: fungal rust that damages plant stem

Typically farmers manage biosecurity threats through a combination of surveillance and property management. Farmers must monitor both the growing crop then the stored grain for evidence of pests and disease and treat them accordingly. If they find any unusual symptoms or suspect they may have found one of the biosecurity threats listed above they report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. This is a free hotline available to the public to report suspected biosecurity threats. A specialist then confirms what the pest actually is and then takes the necessary action.

Farmers also have to manage what is coming and going from their property. They have to manage people entering the property especially if they have been overseas as they might accidentally introduce a pest or disease onto the property.

They also control what vehicles and equipment come and go from the property. Vehicles may have to park in designated areas. If any pest is on the vehicle it can “hop off” in the carpark instead of the middle of the crop. They also inspect equipment to make sure it is clean and free of plant matter which might be harbouring small insects, weed seeds or plant diseases. Employing a simple “Come Clean Go Clean” policy greatly reduces the risk of introducing new pests onto a property.

If the farm is a mixed farm with crops and livestock farmers also need to check new animals coming onto the property as well as any feed as there might be small insects, weed seeds or even plant diseases hidden within.

Australian wheat is shipped all over the world. We are not the world’s biggest grain grower but we are one of the biggest grain exporters. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that provides countless jobs and a valuable food product. Australian farmers need to protect their farms from biosecurity threats to ensure the future of wheat farming in NSW.


The property behind where this cache is hidden is the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre. They, along with many other research stations across NSW, trial various grain and pasture varieties and conduct vital research into the diseases and pests of these crops. Scientists across the state are researching the effects of pests and disease on our important food crops to gain a better understanding of how to best manage these pests. This information can then be passed onto farmers to enable them to grow healthy crops at the right time with minimal pest damage.

This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the Biosecurity of NSW, developed by NSW Department of Primary Industries. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. NSW DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.

Further information on this and other Biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the NSW DPI Biosecurity website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant pest or disease you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Cache Details - Cache is a good sized camouflaged clip-lock container. The research station knows of the cache but please make sure to re hide from passing vehicles. Plenty of room for swaps and I have included a pen. Cache is between the fence and the road, before you go under the power lines, no need to go onto the farm.



Figs and fences - Maitland

Cache is a small bison tube. It is only accessible from the road-side of the fence. DO not cross the fence that is private property. No room for swaps. Bring your own pen.

Just for fun feel free to list any Biosecurity threats you know about for Australia when you log your find. Let's see how many we can get!

This spectacular fig tree has stood watch over this river bank for decades. Its immense size provides habitat for countless creatures including birds, bats, insects and even microscopic things like bacteria and fungi. It provides food, shelter and a place to raise young.

Unfortunately for the tree it does not discriminate friend from foe. A pest can take up residence as easily as a beneficial animal. Pests can eat the leaves, damage branches by sucking the sap from stems, bore holes through the trunk, cause rot, carry diseases and affect growing fruit. Once pests have landed they also tend to spread and they give little care to fences and boundaries.

Recognising signs of pests is important for everyone, especially farmers. Pests and disease can invade a crop, eat seed or fruit or infect livestock. This has a bad effect on the amount of food we can grow, the quality of food we can grow and the type of food we can sell (especially overseas) which impacts how our country earns money. NSW currently exports around $4 billion worth of food each year. Agriculture alone contributes around $12 billion to the NSW economy.

The best way to manage pests is to prevent them from establishing in the first place. Australia is free of many pests and diseases that affect farming around the world. The practice of preventing new pests and managing existing ones is called Biosecurity. Biosecurity surveillance officers operate around the state checking items that are moving across the border (especially into the country) to ensure no new pests and diseases are brought in or taken out.

Surveillance is done at major airports, shipping terminals and even state borders. Passengers, machinery, cargo and fresh produce is checked to look for insect pests, weed seeds, disease and even new animals that we currently don't have in Australia. Preventing pests from entering is the best way to protect NSW biosecurity. Once a pest is introduced surveillance aims to find and control that pest before it can spread. This reduces the harm this pest may cause, particularly to farming operations. Where a pest can't be eradicated it is monitored and managed to try and contain it to that area so as nearby areas can continue to operate as normal. We are all familiar with what can happen once an animal is introduced and becomes an out of control pest as in the case of rabbits and foxes.

It is important that we, as a community, be on the lookout for pests to protect our agricultural areas. In 1950 1 farmer provided enough food for around 19 people, by 2010 1 farmer has to provide for 155 people. Today the global population is around 6.8 billion. By 2050 it is expected to be around 9.3 billion. Farmers will have to increase food production by 70% in just 40 years to feed the world and they will have to do it on less land due to population growth and climate change. Pest pressure can cause significant harm to this effort.

Be familiar with biosecurity threats to your local region. Keep an eye on your garden, vegie patch and fruit trees for any sign of disease or pests. If you find suspicious symptoms or animals you believe might be a biosecurity threat you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 where trained specialists can identify if it is indeed a pest that poses a biosecurity threat and enact the appropriate controls.

This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the Biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment and primary industries of NSW. NSW DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases. Further information on this and other Biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the NSW DPI website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au


Flying Fruit - Dareton

Australia is renowned for growing high quality fruit. Unfortunately we are not the only ones who like to eat it. Various pests like to dine from our table as well, ultimately damaging the fruit and trees we rely on for our food. Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) is one of these pests and poses a significant biosecurity threat to the fruit growing industry.

QFF is a small red-brown fly with yellow markings. Adults are approximately 8mm long and tend to hold their wings outstretched and horizontal when at rest. They also tend to flick and twitch their

wings as they move. The average life cycle in summer lasts about 2.5 weeks and the population can soar in wet humid conditions.

QFF is native to eastern Qld and north-eastern NSW but is an agricultural pest as it lays its eggs within ripening fruit, the larvae then feast on the fruit causing it to rot and spoil. QFF is not only a problem for farmers though, they will happily invade any backyard garden with fresh produce on offer. They attack stone fruit, strawberries, apples, capsicum, tomato and apples. Native Lilly Pillys can also provide a host. Without control they can damage up to 100% of a fruit crop.

If you grow fruit and vegetables that might be susceptible to QFF you are responsible for its management too. Good garden hygiene such as collecting and disposing of fallen fruit can help keep QFF numbers under control.

It is critical to protect NSW fruit growing regions. A tri-state Fruit Fly exclusion zone has been established to protect orchard production. DO NOT take fruit into the fruit Fly exclusion zone. These areas are identified by signs on the roadsid e.

If you have fruit trees in your garden you can help control fruit flies by:

• pruning your fruit trees regularly making fruit picking easier; • remove any ripe fruit before it falls to the ground; • collect any fallen fruit immediately and place in a black plastic bag and leave in the sun for 3-7 days to kill any

maggots that may be inside the fruit.

This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. NSW DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.

Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the NSW DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity. If you find or suspect the presence of QFF in your fruit, immediately report it to NSW DPI via the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Biosecurity is a shared responsibility.



Gotta love those grapes! - Pokolbin

It is a perfectly Australian past time to enjoy a glass of vino or a handful of grapes in the warm afternoon sunshine, but we have a responsibility to protect our beloved grape growers from harm as we travel around our wide brown continent. A range of pests and diseases can affect our grape growing regions, one of the most damaging is Phylloxera.

How can you help?

• Only buy grape bunches FREE of LEAVES and other plant material

• If you visit a vineyard ensure that your shoes, clothing and vehicle is free of mud and grapevine plant material BEFORE LEAVING the property

• DO NOT visit other vineyards after purchasing grapes or vines

• DO NOT take grapevine material (canes, leaves, rootlings and soil) OUT OF a Phylloxera infested zone. It's against the law!

• Obey roadside signs when entering/leaving Phylloxera free zones

This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. NSW DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.

Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the NSW DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity. If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.



Grain Mountain - Narromine

In 1818 John Oxley passed close by the site of present day Narromine whilst charting the course of the Macquarie River. Charles Sturt also passed this way around a decade later also following the river. Settlers first started moving into the area in the 1930s but it wasn’t until around 1880 that wheat was first grown in Narromine. Over the following few years the township of Narromine was created, furthering the agricultural industry in the area.

Situated in the heart of the NSW grain belt wheat farms are a dominant feature of the Narromine landscape alongside barley, chickpeas, lupins, beans, sorghum, corn and linseed. Cotton and citrus are also predominant in the area.

The Narromine silo is a significant feature on the edge of town. The original silo was built in 1920 with additional bins added in 1927 and 1955. Grain from all over the region is stored here after being purchased from farmers, before being exported around Australia and overseas for a range of food uses. The presence of disease or pest insects within the grain could close access to grain markets and reduce the value of grain. Biosecurity is the protection of livelihoods from the threats posed by pests.

All grain that is stored, be it on small farms or large commercial silos such as the one in Narromine, needs to be regularly inspected for signs of insects or disease. Grain markets insist that all grain is delivered free of living insect pests.

To give you an idea of the impact pest insects can have, just 1 tonne of grain infested by insects can produce more than 1 million insects within just a single year. Many of the insects can fly and walk which increases the chance that nearby grain will also become infested.

Simple biosecurity measures include:

• Removing spilt grain as this removes areas where insects can feed and breed • Use good quality silos that are well sealed and equipped with proper aeration. • Cooling the grain can reduce the ability for insects to breed. Aeration also helps to remove moisture and

conditions ripe for disease. • Regular monitoring allows control to happen as soon as pests are detected, before their numbers have had a

chance to increase • Fumigating the grain under certain conditions can help to remove pest insects once they are found. This measure

comes with a lot of controls and restrictions and must be done by properly qualified people. • Proper insect identification. You need to know what you have so you know how to treat it. The picture below

shows a simple way to identify some common stored grain pests. All you need is a glass jar (and of course a bug!)


This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the Biosecurity of NSW, developed by NSW Department of Primary Industries. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.

Further information on this and other Biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant pest or disease you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.



Hermitage Grange - Pokolbin

Wine grapes are grown predominantly in south eastern Australia. In 2013 SA produced the lion's share (44%) followed by NSW (30%) and Victoria produced around 22%. A small industry also exists in WA comprising around 3% of national production. The most commonly grown varieties include Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Australia has a large export market for wine with over 77 million cases exported in 2014-14 worth over $1.81 billion. The bulk of wine exports are shipped to the UK, USA, Canada, China and Germany. There are plenty of pests and diseases vineyards have to combat to ensure a productive harvest. Pests considered to be a high priority to keep out of grape growing regions of Australia include:

• Spotted-winged drosophila (small fly that damages fruit) • Phylloxera (tiny aphid-like insect that lives in the soil and affects the roots) • Black rot (fungus that affects all green tissue of the vine including the fruit) • Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (leafhopper insect that damages the vine by sucking the sap) • Grape berry moths (moths feed on flowers and fruit) • Vine mealybug (mealybug produces sticky honeydew that damages fruit and causes sooty mould) • Fruit fly (damages fruit)

Pests can have devastating impacts on crops causing significant losses, however they can also infest backyard crops and ornamentals. The presence of certain pests within Australia can also affect who we can export to which could have serious implications for Australian growers ability to sell their produce. Vigilance and maintenance can help keep on top of these pests. There are 6 easy ways to reduce the threat of pests impacting grape growing in this region:

1. Be aware of biosecurity threats - know what potential threats look like 2. Use pest-free propagation material - source material from trusted sources that are pest-free and certified. Keep

track of where your material comes from 3. Keep it clean - good hygiene will prevent the entry and movement of pests onto the property. Workers, visitors,

vehicles and equipment can spread pests. Adopt a “Come Clean Go Clean” policy for all people and things coming and going from the property. Have a designated visitor’s area and carpark and even a washdown bay if possible.

4. Check your vines - monitor your vines frequently. Knowing the usual appearance of your vines helps you to identify new or unusual symptoms or pests. Surveillance is vital for early detection of new pests

5. Abide by the law - be aware of and respect laws designed to protect the viticulture industry. There are limitations on moving equipment and vine material in NSW particularly to limit the spread of Phylloxera. It is critical that these limits are observed. Some pests cannot be removed once they infest an area which could threaten the industry for the entire region.

6. Report anything unusual - if you suspect a new pest or disease report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 where a proper identification can be made.

This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion or spread of plant pests and diseases. If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.



Highway Hijackers - Kariong

There is no better way to while away a weekend then a geocaching roadtrip. You pack essential geocaching supplies, eat bad takeaway and maybe throw in an apple for sustenance whilst you hunt for the next GZ. But have you stopped to think where you have taken that apple on this trip? Did you go into a different region? Did you cross a state border? Did you pass through an apple growing area? That apple sitting in the centre console of the car may contain an insect or a disease and driving it around the country may accidentally carry that pest into a new area. Suddenly the signs on the highway asking you to dump your fruit maybe don’t seem like such a bad idea. A quick fruit feast or a visit to the fruit bins before passing into the next region may just stop a serious biosecurity threat from being accidentally introduced. Did you know there were restrictions on what you can take in to/out of NSW? Below is a quick guide to some of the food protection zones in NSW.


Various items can and can’t be taken across the NSW border. The full list of restricted items can be found on www.quarantinedomestic.gov.au but a quick list has been included below:

Travelling to NSW: From Qld From Vic

Fruits, vegetables, nuts

Fresh fruit and veg ! !

Cooked fruit and veg (canned, freeze-dried, dehydrated, cooked) ✓ ✓

Fruit salad (sliced fresh) ✓ ✓

Herbs (fresh) ✓ ✓

Herbs and spices (dried) ✓ ✓

Nuts (dried) ✓ ✓

Vegetable salad ✓ ✓

Other plant items

Banana planting material X X

Citrus plant, cuttings X ✓

Cut flowers and foliage ✓ ✓

Fruit and veg plants, seedlings and seeds ! !

Grapevines, cuttings X X

Food Items

Dairy products ✓ ✓

Eggs ✓ ✓

Honey ! !

Rice ! !

Tea and coffee ✓ ✓

✓ Yes, no restrictions

! Ask, you need permission

X No, you cannot take this with you

This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity. If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

http://www.quarantinedomestic.gov.au/



Hoppers - Dunedoo

To find this cache you need to think locust! What is a locust you ask? Closely related to the grasshopper the locust belongs to the Order Orthoptera and is a plant eating insect with powerful back legs for jumping. There are over 700 species of locust and grasshoppers in Australia but there are 3 that are considered a serious pest - the Australian Plague Locust, Spur-throated Locust and the Migratory Locust.

Locusts and grasshoppers, for the most part, look the same but they behave very differently. Grasshoppers tend to get about by themselves and do their grasshopper thing whereas locusts can be solitary (which is good) or gregarious where they form dense swarms (which is bad, for us anyway). Locust swarms are infamous across history. Plagues were mentioned in the Bible, the Quran, in ancient Chinese texts and images of locusts have been found inside ancient Egyptian tombs. Links between locust plagues and human disease outbreaks have also been reported in China in 311 AD however it is likely that the increase in locusts provided food for large populations of rats (and their fleas) which caused the downfall of human populations.

Their behaviour depends on the size of the population. Low populations of locusts behave as individuals. High populations of locusts start grouping together and form the characteristic swarms we are familiar with in a locust plague. This behaviour can even have a physical effect on the locusts and can alter their body shape, colour, fertility, survival and migratory behaviour. The differences can be so great between an individual locust and a swarm of locusts that for some time they were thought to be two different species.

Locusts lay their eggs by pushing their abdomen down into the soil and laying a pod of eggs then sealing the hole with froth to protect the eggs from predators and disease. They hatch and scramble to the surface and begin to forage. A locust goes through 5 life stages (known as instars) to reach adulthood and they moult between each stage to grow in size. After about 5 weeks they undergo a final moult to become an adult where they finally develop their wings and can fly.

Locusts are considered one of the most serious pests in Australia due to the frequency of outbreaks and the sheer scale of damage a swarm can inflict. They cause widespread damage to crops by eating the vegetation. They have even been reported to feed on other green things such as shade cloth. They eat crops and food for livestock and farmers are faced with huge costs both for control and loss of income due to crop losses.

The right combination of conditions has to be present for a plague to form. High rainfall over spring and summer throughout the locust home range boosts the breeding ability of the population and leads to swarms forming in autumn. Summer breeding can also occur with several batches of eggs laid during autumn. This causes large populations of nymphs during the following spring which leads to swarms over summer. Swarms in spring can cause severe damage as winter crops are nearing maturity and summer crops are just emerging.

During a plague groups of “hoppers” (young locusts with no wings) form dense groups called bands. They slowly march across the landscape consuming crops as they go. The image below shows damage caused by a swarm. A swarm covering just 1km² can eat 1 tonne of vegetation per day. Once they have reached their adult phase and grow wings they can take flight and cover vast distances. It’s not uncommon for a swarm to migrate several hundred kilometres in a single night with favourable weather conditions. Swarms typically extend for several kilometres and migrate during the day potentially moving up to 100km in a week with favourable winds.


Landowners are responsible for managing locusts within their own property. Agencies such as Local Land Services and the Department of Primary Industries are on hand to provide technical advice and conduct surveillance for the presence of locusts. They can also help landowners manage outbreaks once the population has gone beyond the ability of the farmer to manage on their own. The Australian Plague Locust Commission monitors populations and helps to predict and manage outbreaks.

Control of locusts isn’t easy. They are a highly mobile insect and (in the adult phase) can quickly jump from one area to another in short spaces of time. Farmers can spray the hoppers on the ground but they only have a window of about 3 weeks (between hatching and adult phases) to be able to do this. Areas where eggs have been laid can also be cultivated to break the cycle but this if often difficult as locusts tend to lay their eggs in hard soil, not in paddocks but on roads or claypans. Once all ground control options have been exhausted the Australian Plague Locust Commission and/or DPI may organise aerial spraying and work with landholders to achieve this difficult and dangerous work. Unfortunately natural predators are of little use in controlling the population during a swarm due to the sheer volume of insects. Swarms contain millions of insects and quickly outnumber the usual predators.

A useful tool in the management of locusts is surveillance. Knowing where locust activity is taking place can help make predictions on the likelihood of a plague and allow farmers and agencies time to prepare. Locust activity can be reported to the Australian Plague Locust Commission on 1800 635 962 or to Local Land Services.


Lacey Bugs - Camden

Riddle me this: What is smaller than your fingernail but can kill a tree? A bug!

The Sycamore Lace Bug (Corythucha ciliata) is an insect pest of Plane trees, otherwise known as Sycamore Trees. It was introduced into NSW around 2006 and is, for now, found within the Sydney area, but will eventually become more widespread.

The bugs feed on the leaves of the Plane Trees damaging the leaves and in severe cases causing the tree to drop all of its leaves. Damaged leaves appear to have white or bronze discolouration. Several years in a row of heavy infestations can eventually kill the tree. This causes a problem particularly within our urban landscape as Plane Trees are everywhere - in our school playgrounds, parks and lining the footpath.

Sycamore Lace Bugs (SLB) are small flattened insects and can be a grey-white colour or even see through. They have an ornate lacey pattern on their wings head and body with a dark spot on each of the wings. And they are tiny - about 3mm long. Immature SLB are even smaller with dark and light coloured bands. They lay eggs along the leaf veins and can lay up to 350 eggs at a time. Their life cycle is only about 45 days so they can grow their population quite quickly. Over winter they hide under the tree bark and can survive temperatures as low as -10͒ C. They are found almost exclusively in Plane Trees.

So how can you help? Strap on your Citizen Scientist hat and help us find them. We can’t control them if we don’t know where they are. You can report any suspected sightings of SLB to the Exotic Plant Pest hotline on 1800 084 881.

This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide

information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity. Images courtesy of NSW DPI. If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.


Land of Plenty - Paterson

The CB Alexander campus of Tocal College is located within the picturesque rolling green hills on the Hunter Valley. As you stand at the cache GZ the College is to your left and the homestead in front of you over the lake.

The homestead (which is open to the public) showcases the original buildings, stables and work sheds used in the operation of the property during the 1800 and 1900s. The overseer's cottage is often referred to as Thunderbolt's cottage after the infamous bushranger Captain Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt, otherwise known as Fred Ward, worked and lived at Tocal during the mid-1850s breaking in horses and working as a stockman. During the 1850s the gold rush sent stock prices sky high and tempted many, including Thunderbolt, to turn their hand to horse theft and so began his infamous career as a bushranger.

The Tocal area has a rich farming history and the word Tocal itself translates to "plenty" in the local Koori dialect. Prior to European settlement the area was home to the Wonnarua people. A parcel of land was granted to James Phillips Webber in 1822 as one of the first land grants in the Paterson Valley. Webber ran a diverse farming enterprise including hops (used in beer making), tobacco, beef and dairy cattle, grapes, sheep and horses. The property was then purchased by Caleb Wilson and his son Felix. Felix built the homestead in 1841 and the property operated as a well renowned stud for Hereford and Devon cattle and Thoroughbred horses for nearly a century.

The homestead is now subject to a permanent conservation order and is registered in the National Estate. The property was purchased by the Alexander family in 1926. In his will Charles Alexander stipulated that his estate was to be used to help orphaned and destitute children by providing them with training in the agricultural field. In 1965 the Presbyterian Church established Tocal College. The College caters for young people seeking a career in agriculture and students come from all over NSW and interstate to study. The NSW Department of Agriculture (now NSW DPI) took on the operation of the College in 1970, and now operates both Tocal College and Yanco (near Leeton).

As time passes and we learn more about the world around us the “art” of farming has become more of a science. Techniques and equipment have evolved as that knowledge grows and the farms we know today have come a long way since the early days of farming at Tocal. There are more vehicles coming and going, more livestock movements and more weeds and pests in the landscape than in the 1800s. The risk of introducing a pest or disease is much greater now because of the increasing movement of people, livestock, materials and equipment. Managing pests and disease and preventing the introduction of new ones, is known as biosecurity and is a top priority for farmers today.

The Investigate: fire ants program, developed by NSW DPI for NSW primary schools is currently being taught at Tocal. It looks at an emerging biosecurity threat, the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) which was detected at Port Botany in Sydney in 2014. The original infestation was destroyed and no more RIFA have been detected at the Port.

RIFA pose a significant biosecurity threat for NSW. They are a highly aggressive ant which will swarm if disturbed and inflict numerous painful bites and stings on people, pets and livestock. They can have a significant impact on local biodiversity, the community and agricultural production. They can be transported in machinery, pot plants and contaminated soil and once on the ground can spread quickly. Queen ants can fly up to 2km to establish new colonies. They are a top priority pest to keep out of NSW.

Biosecurity is critical for the protection of the environment, community and agriculture. Where new pests are detected they need to be identified and contained quickly before they spread and if possible eradicated. Where pests cannot be eradicated they are monitored and steps are taken to minimise the damage they cause. This is especially important for farming operations as they are providing the food we eat. By learning about biosecurity this next generation of farmers can protect their properties so we can enjoy Australian grown food into the future.

This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches designed to provide environmental information to the geocaching community and increase public awareness of what biosecurity is. Follow the Pest Watch geocaches to learn more about biosecurity issues in your area.


If you want to learn more about what biosecurity is or pests that might affect your area, the NSW DPI website has a lot of great resources: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au If you're looking for more information on biosecurity in other states you can look up the department of primary industries or agriculture (it varies from state to state) for that particular area.


Long-horned beetles - Dareton

Citrus Longicorn Beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) is a serious pest of the fruit growing industry. It is a large wood boring beetle that attacks fruit trees.

Adults are black and shiny with large white dots across their body. They are 21-37mm long and have very long antennae, up to twice the length of their body, which are banded black and white. It is these “long horns” that distinguish the Citrus Longicorn beetle from other beetles in Australia and no other beetles are as destructive to commercial plants.

The larvae and the adult feed on the inside woody tissue of the plant and can be hard to

spot but their tell-tale exit holes are a dead giveaway. Round exit holes 6-11mm wide at the base of tree trunks, sap bleeding from where eggs have been laid, swellings in the trunk where larvae are sheltering and frass (sawdust) gathering at the base of tree trunks indicate there may be an infestation of Citrus Longicorn Beetle.

The beetles can fly up to 1km so can slowly naturally spread through a landscape but more commonly infected plant material containing eggs, larvae or adults are accidentally transported to new areas allowing new populations to establish.

How can you help? Don’t transport plant material long distances especially if it shows signs of insect infestation. Monitor fruit trees you may be growing in your backyard and treat signs of insect infestation. If you think you may have found a Citrus Longicorn Beetle you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

More information on this and other biosecurity threats can be found on NSW Department of Primary Industries website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.


Lovely Dale - Pokolbin

Protecting our environment is the responsibility of all who use it and all who rely on it - including the general public, tourists, farmers, industry and government agencies.

Biosecurity is the protection of the environment, economy and community from the negative impacts of pests and diseases. The ultimate goal of biosecurity is to prevent new pests from entering NSW. Where this cannot be done the aim is to quickly find and eradicate new species before they become established and to minimise the impact of pests, weeds and diseases that can’t be eradicated.

Basic everyday things we do can have drastic implications for our environment. Serious plant pests and diseases can be transported on our clothes, gear, vehicles and even our food without us knowing. If you see a sign banning the entry of particular products into a region this is to prevent the introduction of new pests into a key agricultural area.

You can help protect your geocaching playground by being mindful of what might be hitching a ride with you on your next geocaching adventure. Not unlike a CITO (Cache In Trash Out) it’s important that we dispose of our “environmental” trash responsibly too!

Have you ever stopped to check for those pesky weed seeds now all over your socks and shoelaces? If you leave them there, as a problem for another day, then go to hunt out another geocache you could be taking those seeds into a new area, a few drop off and voila a whole new weed population courtesy of your socks! Weeds seeds are spread very easily and dense infestations can really take a toll on the environment.

This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion or spread of plant pests and diseases.

If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity websitewww.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.



Mosaic Cucumber - Camden

This region is home to many market gardens that provide fresh fruit and vegetables for your dinner. Fruit and vegetables, being as tasty as they are, also happen to be attractive to many pests who also like to eat them for dinner. Farmers face an ongoing battle to keep their crops free from pests and diseases. A disease that is causing great concern at the moment is the Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV).

Image: www.agric.wa.gov.au

CGMMV is a plant virus that infects cucumbers, rockmelons and watermelons, pumpkins and zucchinis. It can be transmitted through wounds to the plant, especially young plants (made by farm tools and insects such as beetles chewing on the fruit), infected seeds and can also survive long periods in soil and on vehicles and equipment. Symptoms vary depending on the crop but generally cause pale spots on the leaves and veins causing a mottled or mosaic appearance, deformed leaves and leaf death. Plants can become stunted and also drop their fruit. In watermelons the fruit is deformed, discoloured and rots.

Image: www.nt.gov.au

It was first reported in the Northern Territory in September 2014 and although great efforts have gone into keeping the disease contained, the virus has since been found on one property in Qld in April 2015. The virus can be spread by contaminated soil and water, people touching infected fruit then touching healthy fruit, packaging material and storage bins and contaminated tools.

If this virus were to spread into NSW it could have a devastating impact on our local fruit and vegie growers. If you go on to an operating farm be sure to follow the Farm Biosecurity measures, the farmer can tell you more about this. Be sure to use clean nursery stock from a reputable supplier for your home vegie garden and ensure it has not been brought in from the NT or Qld. If you suspect your backyard garden may have this disease you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881, where a specialist can confirm the presence/absence of the disease and help with management options.

Biosecurity practices that can help limit the spread of GCMMV include:


• Restricting visitor access • Disinfecting tools, machinery and even footwear • Dispose of infected plants by burning or deep burial • Removal of weed species that may harbour the virus

This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the Biosecurity of NSW, developed by NSW Department of Primary Industries. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.

Further information on this and other Biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant pest or disease you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.


Nautical navigators - Newcastle

The Port of Newcastle is a hive of activity. Businesses with one of the most enviable views in the Hunter line the foreshore. On the opposite side the industrial heart of the city beats. Thousands of ships move through the Port each year transporting more than 25 different types of cargo. One of the most prolific is black coal, mined from the Hunter and surrounding regions. Once on the ships the cargo is shipped all over the world. The Port is also welcoming a more luxurious custom of late with passenger cruise ships regularly passing through.

International travel through ports is closely monitored in an effort to detect new pests and diseases arriving in the country. This is referred to as biosecurity surveillance. Biosecurity is the protection of the environment, economy and community from the harm caused by exotic pests and disease. The primary goal of this surveillance is to find pests as soon as they arrive and prevent them from leaving the port. If they can be controlled on site they can be prevented from wreaking havoc on the wider community.

Given the size of the equipment involved in the shipping trade this is no mean feat. Tankers have large hulls exposing a huge surface area to underwater organisms such as shellfish and barnacles that can attach themselves and hitch a ride. Insects can fly and crawl into the cargo or lay their eggs in a protected corner of the ship ready to disembark once they reach land. There is also potential for pests and diseases to hide within the cargo itself or within food and belongings of the ship’s crew.

Biosecurity surveillance can involve inspections of the ship, its cargo and ballast. The surveillance continues around the port in an effort to detect any creatures which may have made it off the boat. Cargo is tested particularly if that cargo contains plant material (e.g. grain) or soil. Small insects such as ants, plant diseases and even weed seeds can be easily hidden in soil or within mud stuck to vehicles and equipment.

Biosecurity doesn’t just apply to the industrial side of shipping though. With the increasing popularity of passenger cruises people are exploring the world around them. A walk through the jungle on a tropical island may snag a plant seed in your shoelaces or fungal spores on your shirt. Souvenirs that contain or are made from natural materials such as wood, seeds or leaves can harbour tiny insects.

As an island Australia is isolated from many pests and diseases that wreak havoc on agriculture elsewhere in the world. With the increasing movement of people and equipment globally the risk of these pests and diseases arriving in Australia is also increasing. By preventing the entry of pests into Australia we save our environment and farmland from potentially devastating damage. If a pest is introduced and cannot be contained this places huge costs on farmers, governments and the general community for the control and management of the pest. The ability of farms to produce certain crops might be reduced or eliminated altogether. The quality and quantity of produce is reduced and ultimately the cost is passed onto the consumer.


The consequences of Biosecurity management are far reaching therefore it is a shared responsibility. Pests and disease affect not only farms but also backyard crops and gardens. If you see unusual symptoms or insects on your vegie patch or fruit trees for example, you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the Biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment and primary industries of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/


Old Northern Invertebrates – Wisemans Ferry

The Hawkesbury basin is well known for its oyster farming operations. They are often seen from the highway or the train on the way to Sydney and help cater for the Aussie appetite for fresh seafood.

Recently a virus is affecting Pacific oysters in the Georges River, Parramatta River and Hawkesbury River causing a condition known as Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome or POMS for short. It hasn't been know to affect Sydney Rock oysters at this stage and there are no health implications for people. Oysters are killed within days of being infected and up to 100% of the population can be affected.

It was first detected in NSW in 2010 in the Georges River when farmers reported oyster deaths to DPI and the virus was subsequently identified. POMS has been detected in oyster populations after mortality has ceased indicating that survivors may act as carriers for the virus. Little is known about the virus life cycle and how it can be treated. All life stages are susceptible but juveniles are particularly vulnerable. Outbreaks tend to be affected by temperature. They tend to occur above 22°C but not below 16°C.

It's not known how POMS got to NSW. Since an outbreak in France in 2008 it has since been detected in UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Asia and NZ. There are movement controls and strict biosecurity conditions in place to prevent movement of oysters and gear from Georges and Hawkesbury Rivers and Brisbane Water to any other NSW waterway to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

The public can help by reporting mortality outbreaks in wild Pacific Oyster populations to DPI Aquatic Biosecurity Unit on (02) 4982 1232. Maintain vigilance and ensure recreational boats and equipment are cleaned after using these waterways (especially before moving to another waterway) helps maintain the biosecurity protection. Make clean part of your routine!


If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.


Protecting the Pines - Orange

Pine trees are vulnerable to pests and diseases from time to time. Certain pests pose a serious threat to the forestry industry as they can inflict a lot of damage in short space of time. One such pest was recently discovered in NSW. The Exotic Pine Nematode (Bursaphelenchus genus) was discovered in March 2016 in the Sydney area.

Nematodes are microscopic, wormlike animals that often feed on fungi within the tree and usually don’t cause much of a problem. The Exotic Pine Nematode feeds directly off the plant cells which causes rapid dieback and death of the pine tree. The nematodes move through the inside of the tree, feeding off the plant cells which cause air pockets to form. This stops the tree being able to properly take up water and it effectively dies of thirst. You can’t see the nematodes without a microscope and specialist training; the only symptoms come from the tree itself.

The first symptoms of an Exotic Pine Nematode infestation include brown and dry pine needles in the branches. It’s normal for up to 15% of the tree canopy to have old or dead needles or the odd dead branch but any more than 25% could indicate a nematode infestation. The tree starts to die from the top down. A serious infestation can kill the tree within a few weeks. The nematodes are carried by beetles which means they can be transported long distances in wood chips, logs, wooden pallets, packing cases and other

places the beetles might be hiding out.

Pine trees in Australia that might be affected include: Aleppo pine, Austrian pine, Common spruce, Maritime pine, Ponderosa pine, Radiata pine, Stone pine, Scots pine and Turkish pine.

Control of Exotic Pine Nematode is limited to prevention. Chemical control is expensive and not terribly effective. Infested trees are removed and dead trees (including the stump) should be burned or buried as soon as possible.

What to look for:

• Brown and dry needles in the tree branches where more than 25% of the canopy is affected • Pine trees which have died very suddenly (within a few weeks) • Pine trees that are dying from the top down

Suspected sightings can be reported to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 where it can be verified by a specialist.

This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Biosecurity is the protection of the environment, community and economy from the harm caused by exotic pests and diseases. These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion or spread of plant pests and diseases.

If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.


Rusty Trees - Murrurundi

The Australian bush is a beautiful thing but is currently facing an unprecedented problem from a new plant disease which is threatening many iconic Australian native plant species.

Myrtle Rust is a fungal disease that was first detected on the Central Coast in 2010. We don’t know how it got into Australia. Myrtle Rust affects species of the Myrtaceae family (pronounced mer-tay-see) which includes Eucalyptus, Bottlebrush, Tea Tree, and Lilly Pilly species. Because this disease is new to Australia it is not yet known how many species will be susceptible or if any are resistant.

Symptoms: initially small purple dots can be seen on the leaves. This then turns into powdery yellow patches called pustules. The leaves can sometimes be distorted. The pustules gradually turn grey with age. It attacks the young, soft growing parts of the plant. Heavy infections cause the death of the infected parts of the plant.

Spread: Myrtle Rust is a fungus and is spread by tiny fungal spores. These spores can be spread by wind, water (raindrops), insect visitors such as bees, equipment and clothing. It can also be spread by transporting plant material (e.g. wildflowers) and cuttings that are infected. Spores can survive for up to 3 months in suitable conditions. The worst affected areas in NSW run right down the east coast.

How can you help:

• There is currently no known treatment, the best weapon we have is containment: • do not take plant material from one area to another (especially if you are on the coast) • do not go near any native plant species showing signs of fungal infection • if you may have come in contact with native plants in the area (even if you saw no signs of fungal infection) do not

enter another area of native vegetation until you have washed clothes, shoes and equipment (includes your car) • educate other geocachers in the area about Myrtle Rust and the biosecurity protocols

Further information can be obtained from the NSW Department of Primary Industry website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/


Scaly Pines - Orange

The Orange region is home to a large number of Pine plantation forests. The Pine trees, well adapted to the local cold climate, thrive and produce vast quantities of timber that goes on to become house frames for the construction industry. The timber is also used for industrial, agricultural and landscaping purposes. They also help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.

A major threat to the local Pine growing industry is the Giant Pine Scale (Marchalina hellencia), a small sap sucking insect. First detected in Victoria and South Australia in 2014, Giant Pine Scale poses a threat to the Aleppo Pine, Stone Pine and Radiata Pine.

It is commonly found on the trunk and possibly branches and exposed roots of the pine tree. It has a fluffy white appearance and is often found in the grooves of the bark. High densities can give the appearance of a light dusting of snow on the tree. It is approximately 7-11mm long, 3-5mm wide and is covered by a thick waxy coat. Insects often occur close together giving the appearance of trails of fluff as opposed to obvious solitary insects.

You can join in the surveillance for Giant Pine Scale. Where this geocache is located simply inspect the nearest pine tree for the presence or absence of GPS. Write your comments when you log your find. Reports of both the presence and absence of this pest are important. Absence reports mean that area may not yet be affected (which is great) and presence reports means that we know they are there so something can be done about them.


This geocache is one of a series of geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.

Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.

If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.



Travelling Trucks - Singleton

Trucks of all shapes and sizes trek this highway night and day for a whole raft of reasons, mining agriculture, tourism and those of us making the daily trek to work and home. It is essential that these vehicles are well maintained for our safety and protection but it is also critical for the protection of the environment. Pests, disease and weeds especially can quite happily hitch a ride on an unsuspecting vehicle and venture to a new area to infest a new property.

Pests, diseases and weeds can be transported in soil stuck to vehicles. This applies to any vehicle that has come in contact with mud and dirt (therefore practically every vehicle on the road!). Of particular concern are vehicles driven around on farms, vehicles driven off-road, vehicles and equipment involved in earthmoving and vehicles that visit many different sites. It is impractical to stop vehicle movement on and off properties but there are a few simple tricks we can all use to protect our homes and workplaces.

Pests that have been introduced to Australia can have serious implications for the health and productivity of our farms, forestry industry and our bushland. Everyone has a part to play in protecting our country and our industries from these pests.

This geocache is one of a series of PestWatch geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion or spread of plant pests and diseases. Follow the PestWatch geocaches to learn more about biosecurity threats in your area and what you can do to help.

If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, please immediately phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

If you have a particular query or comment please email NSW DPI’s Biosecurity Branch at [email protected]. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.




Unwanted Hitchhikers - Ourimbah

Basic everyday things we do can have drastic implications on our environment. By following some simple protocols we can minimise the spread of pests and diseases and protect our beautiful country AKA our geocaching playground.

Serious plant pests and diseases can be transported on our clothes, gear, vehicles and even our food without us knowing. If you see a sign banning the entry of particular products into a region this is to prevent the introduction of new pests into a key agricultural area.

You can help protect Australia’s agricultural industry and natural bushland by obeying these restrictions and being mindful of what might be hitching a ride with you on your next geocaching adventure. Not unlike a CITO (Cache In Trash Out) it’s important that we dispose of our “environmental” trash responsibly too!

Have you ever stopped to check for those pesky weed seeds now all over your socks and shoelaces? If you leave them there, as a problem for another day, then go to hunt out another

geocache you could be taking those seeds into a new area, a few drop off and voila a whole new weed population courtesy of your socks!

Cache Info

The “Loop” can easily be done on foot if you’re fond of a stroll or you can hop in your geomobile as the geocaches are not far off the road, but be mindful of the parking rules and restriction around campus - parking officers do patrol regularly!

The Pest Watch geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. The NSW Department of Primary Industries has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases in NSW. Follow the Pest Watch geocaches to learn more about biosecurity threats in your area. The NSW Department of Primary Industries - Biosecurity unit is near this cache. If you want to chat to a real life scientist to learn more about biosecurity drop in and say G’day.

If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. More information on biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.



Water Bugs - Ourimbah

Consider as you stand here with this cache - why does this environment look the way it does? Why is this area not completely overrun with pest insects from South America, weeds from Europe and plant diseases from Asia? The answer is Biosecurity. Biosecurity is the protection of the environment, economy and community from the impact of harmful pests and diseases. As an island, Australia has the good fortune of being isolated and free from many pests and diseases that cause havoc in other parts of the world.

Pests that are introduced into Australia can have serious implications for the health and productivity of our farms, forests and even our backyard gardens. Everyone has a part to play in protecting our country from these pests.

Government agencies such as the NSW Department of Primary Industries monitors for new pest threats by doing regular surveillance across the state and at entry points such as shipping ports and airports. They respond to outbreaks of new pests and diseases and help to manage the pests and diseases we already have in NSW. This work is vitally important for protecting our local farmers who feed and clothe us and also helps to protect our native forests and home gardens.

Biosecurity is not just the responsibility of government agencies however. Anyone who lives in and moves through the landscape can potentially transport pest species by accident. You can also be on the lookout for suspicious plants, insects and signs of disease. NSW is a large place and reporting unusual signs of pests and disease can help authorities detect and manage new pest outbreaks.

This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches designed to provide valuable environmental information to the geocaching community and increase public awareness of what biosecurity is. Follow the Pest Watch geocaches to learn more about biosecurity issues in your area.

If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants, you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. If you want to learn more about what biosecurity is or pests that might affect your area, the DPI website has a lot of great resources: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity. If you’re looking for more information on biosecurity in other states you can always google the department of primary industries or agriculture (it varies from state to state) for that particular state.

Biosecurity Threat - Hessian Fly

They pose a significant threat to cereal crops such as wheat. Hessian fly is not currently in Australia but is common throughout USA and Europe. They have been detected in New Zealand in the past. They damage crop plants and can cause crop losses of up to 40%.



Water Bugs - Ourimbah

Unfortunately not all water plants we find in our beautiful Lake Macquarie are meant to be there. Caulerpa (Caulerpa taxifolia) is a fast growing marine alga native to the tropics that could pose a serious threat to this area. It is commonly used in the aquarium trade and has now been listed as a Class 1 Noxious Weed. It is a problem because it can grow very rapidly and alter the surrounding marine habitat, affecting how other animals and plants can live.

It has long, flat bright green fronds 3-25cm long. It is known to turn pale or even white during winter in colder waters. Leaflets are opposite and curve upwards a bit like a feather. It grows along a running stolon attached to the ground (similar to the way a strawberry grows). In moist conditions it can survive out of the water for up to 3 days. It is typically found at depths of 1-12m and can be regrown from a fragment as small as 1cm long.

It can be easily transported by boating and fishing activities. It competes with native seagrass and changes the biodiversity by supporting less animal life including fish and seahorses as it reduces food for native species. It has been observed in Lake Macquarie with the most recent sighting near Belmont in February 2015.

If you believe you may have found this plant place it in a plastic bag and if possible freeze for at least 24 hrs before placing in the garbage. NEVER release it into a drain, creek, lagoon or ocean. If it's discovered on your gear when you get back to shore DO NOT toss it back in the water. This may create a new population and cause other people to spread the pest too. Even just leaving it lying on the bank is not safe as it can get tangled in someone else’s gear, on vehicles, on waterbirds or simply get washed back into the lake.

Check and clean any equipment that has come in contact with the water including:

• boat anchors and chains • jetskis • wetsuits • fishing/diving gear • trailer • boat motors and propellers

Don’t boat, fish or anchor near outbreaks and report any possible sightings.

Caulerpa populations cannot be controlled if we don't know where they are. Report any possible sightings to the DPI Aquatic Biosecurity Unit on (02) 4916 3877.


If you suspect the presence of an exotic plant disease or pest, or if you see unusual symptoms on your plants you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.

Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre

Level 2, Building 22, Innovation Centre University Drive, University of Canberra Bruce ACT 2617

LPO Box 5012 Bruce ACT 2617

P: +61 2 6201 2882 F: +61 2 6201 5067 E: [email protected] www.pbcrc.com.au

Documents

Novel Community Engagement in Plant Biosecurity Final Report... · Novel Community Engagement in Plant ... the need for field based projects, experimental design and formal ... Community