What’s New
Check out what we've been up to in June 2023
Rotary FNQ Field Days 2023
All things agriculture was the theme at Rotary FNQ Field Days where the Community Taskforce joined the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program to talk to local farmers and residents about yellow crazy ants.
This bi-annual event was their biggest and best event yet, run over three days with thousands of patrons attending. The live ants on display captured people’s interest as well as the fun face masks and stickers. A walk around the grounds gave us an opportunity to talk to more people and hand out extra brochures spreading the message even further.
The Protect Your Patch display demonstrated how residents can protect their yards and farms from invasive ants by quarantining potted plants.
There are no known yellow crazy ant infestations in the Mareeba area, so this was a fantastic opportunity to speak to locals about being aware of yellow crazy ants, in the hope that they will recognise and report any suspect ants.
Students from Atherton High School visit the Rotary FNQ Field Day and loved learning about yellow crazy ants.
From left Wet Tropics Management Authority staff Pietro Valaguzza, Community Taskforce Coordinator Sylvia Conway, Wet Tropics Management Authority staff Andrew Piccone and Alex Sinchak.
EcoFiesta 2023
It was epically eco and the smiles said it all. What a fun event!
The Taskforce joined with the Wet Tropics Management Authority to meet the faces of Cairns’ eco warriors, all coming to learn more about what they can do to protect and preserve our natural environment. The interest was immense from young and old, many came to see the live yellow crazy ants, check out the maps of where infestations occur in the Cairns and Kuranda regions and learn about the huge impacts invasive ants have to our precious Wet Tropics biodiversity.
As always, the Protect Your Patch display demonstrated what residents can do themselves to protect their yards from invasive ants by quarantining pot plants via water bath or bare rooting.
Our new Community Taskforce stickers were also a hit.
A big thanks to our Taskforce volunteers, Chelsea Scanlan and Tim Brown for helping us get the yellow crazy ant message out to our wider community.
And a huge thank you to Cairns Regional Council for putting on another awesome Ecofiesta event.
Wet Tropics Management Authority staff Aaron Smith and Alex Sinchak Being Casso-WARY
EcoFiesta Ant-ics on the dance floor
Community Taskforce’s Mikhaila Jacoby and volunteer Chelsea Scanlon showing off the new stickers.
Survey sessions for the Kuranda tree frog
No invasive ants were detected on our third survey for the year. Our next two surveys will be on Sat 29 July and Sat 26 August.
If you would like to join us, please do get in touch.
No experience necessary and lunch will be provided.
Be the change you want to see and get involved in local conservation actions. All welcome!
Here are the dates for our upcoming monthly surveys:
- Survey #5 – Sat 29 July – Mantaka Ck
- Survey #6 – Sat 26 August – Jumrum Ck
- Survey #7 – Sat 23 Sep – Dismal Ck
The Kuranda tree frog (Litoria myola) is critically endangered and under threat from invasive ants. Photo credit Rhys Sharry
The crew ready to survey the second section of Queens Creek in May 2023
Giant trees are a good sign of remnant forest, surely worth protecting from invasive species for all our future generations.
The water quality at Queens Creek is perfect for our endemic Kuranda tree frog and its breeding cycles.
What’s Coming Up
Would you like to learn new skills and join in on events and surveys?
What’s happening
FREE Toolbox talk
Learn about the risks and impacts invasive ants have in your community.
Where: In your workplace
When: Get in touch to make a time
Kuranda Tree frog habitat (KTF) monthly survey
Volunteers wanted for our survey crew
Where: Queen Creek, Oak Forest Rd, Kuranda
When: Saturday 29 July 2023 | 8am – 12pm |
Moderate level of fitness required
No experience is necessary; all training is provided on the day.
Lunch included
Volunteer With Us
Volunteer and join the Taskforce or stay informed about yellow crazy ants
On a final note
The Yellow Crazy Ant 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 many aspects of the program including undertaking regular monitoring activities, completing surveys, and attending community engagement activities and events.
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.
