Entries by admin

Geoff Pegg leads the way in increasing capacity of Traditional Owners (TO) to detect, monitor and report priority environmental exotic plant pest and disease threats in a World Heritage Area

Dr Geoff Pegg, recently named ‘Environmental Biosecurity Award’ winner in the 2020 National Biosecurity Awards, has just completed a wonderful project with the Butchulla Land and Sea Rangers. The project increased their biosecurity capacity, and developed a number of training modules that can be adapted for other training groups. ‘Protecting our native environments, and the […]

November 19, 2020 by

Preparing for the spotted lanternfly …

The planthopper, spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula: SLF), is an emerging pest of agricultural, urban and environmental biosecurity concern, attacking over 70 plant species. It recently spread from its native range of China, Vietnam & India into South Korea, Japan, and the northeastern US and is considered a significant ecological and economic threat to ornamental plants, forests […]

November 11, 2020 by

Exploration of RNAi vaccines as a novel control for Myrtle Rust in critically endangered Australian taxa (PBSF034)

Project Leader, Organisation Anne Sawyer, University of Queensland Status ACTIVE Background Objective 4.3 of the National Myrtle Rust Action Plan (MRAP) is to explore methods for resistance and control. Controls for agricultural pathogens e.g. resistant cultivars or fungicides, are inapplicable against myrtle rust in natural environments. RNA interference (RNAi) vaccines are an emerging crop protection […]

November 11, 2020 by

Environmental Biosecurity – Adding a Cultural Context (PBSF031)

Project Leader, Organisation Tilly Davis, Buthculla Aboriginal Corporation Status ACTIVE Background Exotic pests threaten cultural and environmental biodiversity values unique to Australia. The recent detection and subsequent spread of the invasive myrtle rust pathogen, Austropuccinia psidii, has highlighted the threat and challenges associated with managing these pests. Several reviews have highlighted serious gaps relating to […]

November 11, 2020 by

New projects being contracted …

Ten new projects have been approved for investment by the Foundation. The Board was delighted to receive lots of high quality proposals, and spent some time sifting through to get the best mix of investments. The ten approved projects were worth $284k in requests, an amount more than matched by the project partners. They included […]

November 9, 2020 by

Spotted lanternfly biology, ecology and awareness in the Australian environment (PBSF039)

Status ACTIVE Project Leader Dr Olivia Reynolds, cesar Background The planthopper, spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula: SLF), is an emerging pest of agricultural, urban and environmental biosecurity concern. The pest attacks over 70 plant species, primarily woody hosts, causing direct damage by feeding on plants using sucking mouthparts causing sap to exude, and indirectly through the development […]

November 5, 2020 by

Winter news – call for proposals, project updates and more …

The Foundation’s winter newsletter is out now and can be downloaded here… Can our current reliance on science become the new norm? Call for proposals Myrtle Rust National Action Plan finalised and with Minister Ley Blood disease in bananas – reducing risk to Australia Remote sensing and machine learning for improved biosecurity in forest and […]

July 29, 2020 by

Call for proposals …

The Foundation is calling for new investment proposals, with applications due 27 August Investments proposals must have a very specific and defined purpose, clear benefits to plant biosecurity in Australia, and be consistent with the Foundation’s Vision and Mission (apbsf.org.au). Proposals are welcome from any organization or individual. This 2020 funding round will focus on […]

July 28, 2020 by

Understanding long-distance atmospheric movement of pests … a collaborative workshop …

Recently, the Foundation supported a workshop “Tracking and forecasting of pest and pathogen movements”, led by CSIRO’s Hazel Parry. During the workshop, participants learned about novel research and networked with other researchers, gained insights on the integration of technologies and identified current applications for this research and possible collaborations. Workshop participants have since developed collaborative […]

July 27, 2020 by