What can gardeners do to help protect our natural environment from invasive plant pests?

Check before planting,

especially if planting seedlings and cuttings donated from a friend's garden. Remember that an apparently harmless garden plant from one part of the country may be a noxious weed in another. A quick visit to the weedbusters website, gives ideas for what you might plant instead.

Never bring seeds or plant material into New Zealand

from other countries unless you have an importers licence. Make sure your shoes are clean. The seeds of potential weeds can be extremely small.

Identify and control

pest plants in your own garden and help friends and family to do the same. Check your regional council website to learn which pest plants are of particular concern locally and contact the council to discuss control options.

Dispose of pest plants correctly.

Do not dump weeds along roadsides near streams or in native bush areas. Burn, compost, or find an approved landfill or transfer station for deep burial.

Prevent the spread of new weeds.

Watch out for new weeds that seem to be spreading out of control in your region. Destroy weed plants before they form seeds.

Report

major weeds to your regional council Biosecurity Pest Plant Officers. Regional councils have weed management strategies. Officers assess each situation and provide recommendations for safe and effective control.

Volunteer.

Join a community weed control group.