JOIN THE ARUM LILY BLITZ

Our beautiful region is being overrun by a toxic and aggressive invader, but we have a plan to restore harmony and we need your help.

Backed by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program, Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions are spearheading the biggest arum lily control program this region has ever seen. In 2019 and 2020 an impressive 1020 landowners took part, actively controlling arum lilies across 16,100 hectares. Nearly 2150 hours of spraying has been undertaken by contractors on private property, National Parks and reserves. Private landowners themselves have completetd over 2140 hours of control.

Volunteers from the Yallingup Land Conservation District Committee and the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track sprayed arum lilies within the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, completing an incredible 442 volunteer hours of hard work.

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River, City of Busselton and Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association are also making a valuable contribution with 1020 hours of control undertaken in 2020.

Motivating and supporting shared management by landowners, volunteers and government agencies across thousands of hectares is a huge challenge and we are excited by the progress that has been made in the first two years of the Blitz. It is an inspiring effort of a whole community working together.

Please join us in this war on the most widespread, damaging weed in our beautiful region. We are in the third year of the three year Blitz so the time to get involved is now.

KNOWING THE ENEMY

As nature lovers, we appreciate that all plants have their place, but unfortunately, the arum lily has no place here. This South African succulent herb may look striking with its white flowers and dark green foliage, but it presents several major issues.

It aggressively outcompetes native plants for resources and replaces diverse plant communities with dense monocultures of a single species.
It reduces food availability and habitat for native wildlife.
It is poisonous to most stock, pets and people.
It affects farmers’ livelihoods by endangering their animals and competing with pasture plants.
It threatens the natural beauty and biodiversity on which the Margaret River region’s reputation and economy hinges.

This devastating weed now runs rampant across the region, but how did it get this bad?

IDENTIFYING THE OBSTACLES

In the first year of the Blitz we learnt that the majority of landholders want to control arum lily on their properties. People are often uncertain how to go about it and they want to know that it is worthwhile, that others in their neighbourhood are also controlling the weed.

We have addressed these obstacles by providing free herbicide and instructions on how to spray, or how to manually control arum lily for landholders that have just a few plants. We are also working hard to get everyone in our region involved. A coordinated, concerted and sustained efforts across the region is essential to snuff out this fast-growing, easily spread weed.

In 2018, Nature Conservation partnered with DBCA in developing the Arum Lily Management Plan for the Margaret River Region, which offers clear direction, a coordinated approach and outlines priorities for the 2018-28 period. The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, City of Busselton, Lower Blackwood LCDC, Yallingup LCDC and the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association have also signed onto the Blitz. But there is one critical piece of the puzzle remaining: You.

RECRUITING OUR ARMY

Whether you own a large rural property, a bush block, or a house in the suburbs, we’re inviting everyone to get involved. We are asking you to register as a participant in the blitz so we can let you know about assistance, keep you informed on progress, and so we can track where arum lily control is being undertaken. This will allow us to recruit other properties in your area, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of reinfestation. It also demonstrates participant numbers to our funding bodies, helping our chances of future funding for ongoing work.

WANT TO GET STARTED?

The best time to control arum lily is when 50 to 70% of the plants are in flower. In our area that is usually in August to October.

If you plan to undertake arum lily spraying yourself we can help by providing FREE HERBICIDE, and a list of suppliers providing discounted spray supplies and equipment to landholders registered with the Arum Lily Blitz. Follow the link below to watch a video on how to spray arum lilies.

If you prefer to outsource the job, follow the link below for a list of recommended contractors who we know to be experienced, thorough and careful.

You can use the Arum Lily Blitz Information Sheet to share information about the blitz with others so that we get as many people involved as possible.

The Herbicide Application Record can be used by you or your spray contractor to record the work done. This data will enable us to monitor control being undertaken across the region and evaluate the success of the blitz.

If you plan to be undertaking manual removal of arum lilies please go to the links below to watch a video and to learn more.

We recommend that you take some before and after photos and there is information about this in the Guide to Arum Lily Control.

Instructions for use of chlorsulfuron for arum lily control