Budding scientists, gardeners and farmers visiting the department’s Garden Guardians display will discover what they can do to help protect Western Australia’s gardens, environment and food sources.
DPIRD biosecurity senior project officer Marcus Visic said the key message being promoted through this year’s display was that everyone has a role to play in protecting WA’s biosecurity.
“Children and adults can help safeguard our food, environment and lifestyle by looking for unusual bugs or plant health issues in their own backyards,” Mr Visic said.
“Through exciting games and hands-on activities, kids will not only learn how to spot bug pests and unwanted diseases that threaten our gardens, farms and outdoor spaces, but also the importance of reporting any finds to the department.
“As a Garden Guardian, kids will gain the powers to be true biosecurity heroes, mastering bug-hunting skills which they can use around their homes and suburb to identify unusual critters.
“We will demonstrate how easy it is to make a report using the free MyPestGuide® app on their smartphones and explain that every report helps protect Western Australian agricultural industries and environment.”
Coinciding with the Perth Garden and Outdoor Living festival, the International Day of Plant Health is being held on Sunday 12 May, which Mr Visic said provided the timely reminder that everyone plays a role in defending our State from the impact of plant pests and diseases and the importance of early reporting.
“Finding pests and diseases early, may make their management or eradication easier,” he said.
The Garden Guardian display will also provide information on polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), and the quarantine area that is in place across most of the metropolitan area to help stem the spread and protect the urban canopy.
“The detection of the tiny PSHB beetle in 2021 has resulted in the biggest surveillance and eradication program ever undertaken in WA,” Mr Visic said.
“PSHB bore into tree trunks, stems and branches and the fungus it carries often leads to infested trees dying within two years,” Mr Visic said.
“The support from the community is vital in stopping the spread of this exotic beetle before it impacts on more of Perth’s urban canopy.”
Visitors to the Garden Guardian display will also be informed of other key biosecurity activities such as garden hygiene, buying local, 'arrive clean leave clean' tips for a healthy harvest and checking requirements before transporting plant material.
"Maintaining WA’s relatively pest and disease-free status requires a coordinated, community-wide effort and we can all work together to stop pests and diseases from entering and spreading,” Mr Visic said.
The 2024 Perth Garden and Outdoor Living festival is taking place on Thursday 9 to 12 May at Langley Park.
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