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Australia - It's more than just weed control with new apps


Australia
March 17, 2014

ACT Parks and Conservation rangers are using new Smartphone applications to map and record their weed control efforts from the field.

Regional Manager, National Parks and Catchments, Brett McNamara said the apps are a great new tool in the fight against environmental weeds in the ACT.

"Our rangers have been using an off-line mapping system called Memory-Map to map out areas which have been treated for weeds, while information on weed control is recorded on the eDroid Cell Pro spreadsheet app," Mr McNamara said.

"Using the app has made the process of mapping and recording weed control work quick and easy. The files are emailed to a central location, reducing the time rangers have to spend sitting in the depot filling out reports and eliminating our reliance on paper records.

"The rangers using these apps have reported that they have saved considerable time and effort. Aside from giving rangers the ability to map and record information from the field, the apps also help us record more accurate weed control data.

"One of our weed control contractors is already using the Memory-Map app to map their jobs. Rangers with the app share files with the contractor to monitor progress and record which areas have been treated. We are hoping to encourage other contractors to start using this app.

"This app is just one of many methods rangers are using to manage weeds in the ACT including Find-Fix It (FIFI) kits, remote area weed control programs and amphibious vehicles. FIFI kits are small packs rangers can carry to treat small infestations in remote areas.

"FIFI kits contain granular grass herbicide and gelled woody weed herbicide. The kit will save time, money and the environment, by allowing early detection and rapid response by our rangers out in the field.

"We have started using specialist remote area weed controllers to deal with isolated weed infestations. These specialists also do more technical work, such as abseiling, to gain access to hard to reach weeds.

"Recently we also used the special Argo 800 amphibious vehicle to treat weeds in the region. The vehicle means our contractors can treat to weed infestations which would otherwise be inaccessible."



Published: March 17, 2014

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