On a humid Sunday afternoon in April, 29 local volunteers gathered to plant 460 trees along Cain Creek in Myola, near Kuranda. A great community effort with Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Angela Toppin and Lleam and Sam from the Queensland Police Service coming along to lend a helping hand. Cain Creek is part of a restoration project by Kuranda Envirocare to establish a wildlife corridor along the upper and lower reaches of the degraded and once heavily farmed creek. Not only will the trees provide habitat for native animals but will also support our endemic and critically endangered Kuranda tree frog (Litoria myola) and endangered southern cassowary. Planting trees also minimises erosion issues which filter harmful sediment from reaching our Great Barrier Reef.

The tree planting was followed by a BBQ and an update on the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program. Yellow crazy ants are found at three infestation areas in the Kuranda region. Russett Park and Green Forest infestations are in the third phase of eradication: annual surveys and spot treatment as necessary due to very low numbers of yellow crazy ants. The Myola infestation is into its second phase with the first broad scale treatment completed in early December and another set for late April. Kuranda Envirocare tree planting and frog monitoring volunteers frequent the Myola site so learning how to recognise the ants and report them is key in helping minimise the spread. Yellow crazy ants are a huge threat to our native wildlife. Eradication is expected by 2028 with the aim of stopping yellow crazy ants from entering our diverse and precious Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

A common way to spread yellow crazy ants and electric ants is through exchanging potted plants. Learn how to protect your backyard from these pest ants by quarantining potted plants and cuttings. Other garden material such as mulch, rocks, soil and building materials also act as carriers for the invasive pests.

Whether you are giving or receiving plants, let’s check for invasive ants so you don’t spread them unknowingly to your patch or someone else’s. The is working with the Wet Tropics Management Authority and Biosecurity Queensland to help eradicate these ants.

Keep your patch safe from invasive ants and grow something great!

Visit https://communitytaskforce.org.au/protect-your-patch-grow-something-great/ for more details on how to protect your patch.

Video link: https://youtu.be/W_u08e-ujao

Please feel free to share amongst your networks!

Volunteer and join the Taskforce or stay informed about yellow crazy ants

Surveys in Kuranda tree frog habitat

Invasive ants have been found in critical frog habitat and the Kuranda tree frog is under threat from yellow crazy ants. Checking for invasive ants will ensure the protection of this endemic and critically endangered species. We need your help so please get in touch if you would like to assist with the survey or future community taskforce activities. A medium level of fitness will be required due to some steep terrain. Morning tea and lunch provided.

WHERE: Jum Rum Creek, end Arara St Kuranda

WHEN: Sat 30 April @ 8-1 pm (more surveys coming soon)

Protect YOUR Patch video launch – ‘Grow Something Great’

‘How to quarantine a pot plant’ video is launching!

Video link: https://youtu.be/W_u08e-ujao

WHERE: Community Taskforce website, YouTube & stakeholder social networks

WHEN: Tues 3 May 2022 @ 6 am

https://communitytaskforce.org.au/protect-your-patch-grow-something-great/

 Ecofiesta 2022

Cairns Ecofiesta is Queensland’s premier sustainability festival. A free-entry event held on the doorstep of two World Heritage areas: The Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Volunteers are needed to help at our info stall—please get in touch.

WHERE: Munro Martin Parklands, 123 Sheridan St, Cairns City QLD

WHEN: Sun 29 May 2022

On a final note

The Community Taskforce is a community-run organisation that assists the Wet Tropics Management Authority in managing the yellow crazy ant infestations in Kuranda. Volunteers are involved in some aspects of the program, including undertaking monitoring activities, completing surveys of known infestation areas and surveys in the surrounding area.

We search for both yellow crazy ants and electric ants.

To report illegal dumping contact Mareeba Shire Council on 1300 308 461. Report yellow crazy ants call 1800 CRAZY ANT

To volunteer with the Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce call (07) 4093 8989, email coordinator@communitytaskforce.org.au  or visit @ycacommunitytaskforce Facebook page.