2020 Nordic Shelter and Perisher XC Trails Work Parties - New Initiatives

Two new new initiatives are being introduced to the Perisher XC summer work parties. They are intended to support the way we practice good minimal impact in our National Parks, and to assist with research in Snow-gum die-back in the Kosciusko National Park.

Combat the introduction of weeds and pests:

Boot hygiene kits will be available in the Nordic Shelter for cleaning footwear to use before and after any trail maintenance work, and generally working around the Nordic Shelter. The basic idea is to: Check, Clean, Disinfect and Dry Footwear. This simple DIY process will help minimise the spread of weeds and other pests we may unwittingly bring into the area with us.  A few other ways to avoid bringing in and moving weeds around are to wear sock protectors or gaiters, and to remove all soil, plant material and other debris from your car interior (areas around the cabin floor e.g. floor mats and pedals) using a vacuum, or dustpan and brush.

Photo: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government

Help Track Snow-Gum Die-back:

Many of you will have read the recent reports of Snow-gum die-back in the Kosciuszko National Park. The vast majority of die-back is reported as being linked to impacts from the native wood-boring longicorn (or longhorn) beetle Phorocantha sp. The Longicorn beetles prefer to lay their eggs on moisture-stressed trees, and it is noted that with the reduction of rainfall and high summer temperatures Snow-gums are under much greater moisture stress than in the past (NPWS Resort Round-up Summer 2018-19).

Researchers at the ANU are currently working with limited data on snow gum die-back and they are asking the public visiting the Australian Alps to contribute to the research by reporting observations of wood-borer damage and tree decline.  The link below provides details on the research and includes other links to download the App (using either the Apple and Android icons or via the App. store).  The downloads are free.

https://biocollect.ala.org.au/acsa/project/index/ae23508e-6f53-4278-a50f-4bd594e085ad

Work party attendees will be encouraged to record die-back observations as they move around the KNP using the App, or alternatively, they can upload the info onto the website. Printed materials on die-back identification will be available in the Nordic Shelter to check out before heading out on the trails.

Photo: Snow-gum die back https://biocollect.ala.org.au/