Landcare Victoria is partnering with CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, to coordinate and deliver community engagement activities around sea spurge biocontrol activities.
This collaboration is part of a broader project funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The CSIRO-led project will deliver national-scale weed biocontrol for priority species, including sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias), and will include the coordination of release and monitoring of the safe biocontrol agent, Venturia paralias.
CSIRO Senior Research Scientist Gavin Hunter said that the biocontrol fungus is highly host specific to sea spurge and does not harm native plants. Over time the fungus reduces sea spurge density, growth and seed dispersal via currents.
“It was rigorously tested with international collaborators and in Australia’s high security quarantine facilities and has shown strong results in trial sites. Now we are releasing nationwide to help manage this damaging coastal weed,” he said.
“Reducing sea spurge populations and spread will bring big biodiversity improvements for our native flora and fauna in coastal dune habitats.”
The project aims to deliver sea spurge biocontrol knowledge and engagement to the landcare community with active communications and information sharing. Landcare Victoria will promote the program, facilitate participation by local landcare groups and organise workshops and events.
Landcare Victoria CEO Claire Hetzel said that as the peak body for landcare in the state, Landcare Victoria plays a vital role in connecting communities with opportunities such as this program.
“By resourcing grassroots landcare, we allow individuals and groups to partner to deliver impactful projects that balance productivity and biodiversity,” Ms Hetzel said.
“Landcare Victoria’s role in this partnership also demonstrates how our organisation can amplify impact beyond our membership and existing areas of expertise. By linking local knowledge with national scientific research and coordinating a cooperative, multidisciplinary approach, we help ensure that community-driven action contributes meaningfully to broader environmental goals. This strengthens outcomes not just for participating groups, but for Victoria’s coastal ecosystems.”
Ms Hetzel said that Landcare Victoria is thrilled to be part of this partnership with CSIRO.
“Partnerships like this speak to the very heart of what we do - bringing communities together to achieve meaningful, lasting environmental change. These collaborations energise our networks, strengthen our collective impact and reaffirm the vital role that community-led stewardship plays in safeguarding Victoria’s unique landscapes.”
Mr Hunter said the goal is to see the fungus released wherever sea spurge is a problem, strengthening the resilience of sensitive coastal ecosystems.
“We can only achieve that at national scale with community partners, and we are proud to work with landcare and local groups to build a truly community led biocontrol network,” he said.
This media release was originally published by Landcare Victoria.