Woody, and Horizons environmental management officer Neil Gallagher, will together stroll through the avenues of CDFDs at Feilding’s Manfeild Park to spread the news about plant pests.
“Wood Weed is our mascot and he helps make people aware of the threat of weeds,” says Gallagher.
Horizons Weedbusters is part of the larger New Zealand Weedbusters, working to reduce the threat of weeds. Children like Woody for his gaudy mascot costume – bright iridescent green.
Australian in origin, Woody is an invasive ‘weed’ who skirted New Zealand’s biosecurity, but “has turned over a new leaf” and now speaks out against plant intruders in the region. “Everyone has a different reaction to Woody,” Gallagher says. “We just go with it. Woody doesn’t speak but he interacts with students. And little kids think he’s real.”
Woody mostly visits schools to meet children while Gallagher gives presentations about plant pests in the region. A few of the plant pests are purple loosestrife, boneseed, banana passionfruit, and ragwort.
Staff at Horizons will run One Plan seminars for farmers on Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8 with specific topics. On both days the 9am seminar will be: 9am land, 10am nutrient management, 11am biodiversity, 1pm nutrient management and at 2pm land.
The popular big rural prize continues this year – a Suzuki ATV and Brent Smith trailer filled with lots of goodies from exhibitors. This competition is open to anyone with a rural delivery address and will be drawn on the final afternoon.
