Cat’s Claw Creeper is an invasive plant species killing large native trees in many riparian zones in Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW. This plant has received relatively minimal management interest over the past decade – so what is Cat's Claw Creeper and why is it a problem? This episode outlines the issue and introduces the stakeholders who are affected by this noxious weed. (2:06)
WARNING – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following video may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
[Uplifting music and images of Bundjalung country]
Narrator
Welcome to the virtual excursion 'Save Our Catchment'. This virtual excursion will take us to the upper reaches of the Clarence River in the hinterland of New South Wales, mid north coast. The minor tributaries of the Clarence River have been invaded by a pest species, commonly known as the Cat's Claw Creeper.
This deceivingly beautiful plant was introduced as a garden decoration. Large native trees along the Upper Clarence River have been strangled to death by the creeper, changing the river and the wider catchment health. This has resulted in devastating habitat loss for native species, changed the natural landscape, and the plant is now virtually unmanageable. Local Indigenous landowners are concerned about the impact to culturally significant species of turtles and platypus, and important historical scar trees.
In this series, you'll learn from experts who have been willing to share information with you, including local Indigenous representatives, Landcare managers and local tourism providers. You will view a series of short video episodes, focusing on different stakeholder experiences, and their concerns about the Cat's Claw Creeper.
In additional materials, you will learn about abundant surveying and how to apply skills obtained in this virtual excursion to your own study area. We hope you enjoy the virtual excursion 'Save Our Catchment' and begin to think about steps you can take to help and keep our waterways healthy.
[List of sources and acknowledgements:
- Image – Canoeing on the Upper Clarence River. Provided by Steven Ross and Clarence River Wilderness lodge
- Image – Australian Drainage divisions and River Basin Boundaries. Retrieved from www.ga.gov.au
- Video – Drone footage of The Everlasting Swamp. We would like to thank The Everlasting Swamp National Park and Jessica Robertson Photography and Design for contributing their beautiful drone footage
- Narration – Voice over by Melissa Ellis, Southern Cross School of Distance Education
- Acknowledgment – We wish to thank Father Pop Harry Walker, Annabelle Walker, Roy Bell, Steve Walker, Marty Walker, David Foley, Upper Clarence River Landcare, Terry Moody, Steven Ross, Frederick Ellis]
[End of transcript]