Serrated Tussock
New Information & Resources
A number of new Serrated Tussock information and resources are soon to be available on the Weeds Australia Website. They will include:
- Better Whole-farm Management to Prevent Serrated Tussock invasion
- Managing Competition between Serrated Tussock and native Grasses
- Tussock Terminators Forum Proceedings 2-3 November 2005
- A Financial Study of Serrated Tussock Management in the Upper Lachlan Region of NSW.
Available now is Serrated Tussock Managers Fact Pack which provides information on biology, impact and control of this species. Visit the Weeds Australia website at www.weeds.org.au for information.

Vertebrate Pest Management
Course
The NSW Vertebrate Pest Management Course (VPMC) provides high quality entry level training for front line staff implementing vertebrate pest management for both agricultural protection and conservation. The VPMC is a practical course with a 'hands on' focus. It provides participants with a basic understanding of pest animal biology, behavior and control. The course also allows participants to work through practical pest control issues and problem solving as well as actually carrying out various control techniques. The course is run at Orange Agricultural Institute and includes field expeditions. For more information, contact Rob Williamson, DPI, on 63913804 or robert.wiIliamson@agric.nsw.uov.au



Help available for community conservation groups to undertake volunteer risk management.

Throughout Australia community groups and volunteers play a significant role in the conservation and restoration of our natural environment and resources.

Whilst the 'work-place' for these thousands of volunteers varies tremendously from humid rainforest to urban parkland to farm land, the challenge is consistent across all landscapes; ensuring a safe experience for volunteers.

With the support of the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust, Conservation Volunteers Aus­tralia (CVA) is delivering a national program to help community conservation groups learn about vol­unteer risk management. Through this program , CVA is delivering:

- A Risk Assessment Handbook tailored for community conservation groups
- 3hr Risk Assessment Workshops across all States and Territories
- An email  'Help Desk' that will respond to further queries relating to risk assessments.

The Risk Assessment Handbook has been developed by CVA specifically for natural resource man­agement groups in Australia. This handbook is free to download, simply visit: www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

The Risk Assessment Training Workshop will provide leaders of community groups with simple but effective strategies for assessing and controlling risks associated with their activities. The workshops are free to attend, for a complete program of the workshop and locations and dates, simply visit: www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

The Email Help Desk will provide further support to program participants by responding to specific risk assessment queries. Information on how to use the help desk is included in the Risk Assessment Handbook.

Weed Training Resource Manual

The Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management and the Department of Environment and Heritage has produced a training resource for individuals or groups involved in weed management.

The Introductory Weed Management Manual was developed as a training aid for the use of private landholders, conservation groups, catchment management groups, industry, and local, state and territory governments. The Manual is an introductory guide for those with little experience with weed management, particularly the control of environmental weeds. It will be of use to those who wish to develop their own weed management knowledge and skills and as a training resource for those who need to train staff or volunteers in weed management techniques.

The manual is presented in four training modules:
Module 1: Developing and implementing a weed management plan
Module 2: Weed control methods for community groups
Module 3: Collecting and preparing plant specimens for identification
Module 4: Presentation of information sessions to small groups

This manual, the "introductory weed management manual"? can be viewed at www.weeds.crc.org.au/documents/manual.pdf. Printed copies of this manual (available as a ring-binder folder) are available at no cost to people or organisations that wish to use this resource.

To order a copy of the manual contact Nikki Ward Policy Officer, Department of Environment and Heritage Phone 02 6274 2082;
Email nikki.ward@deh.gov.au