Friends of Deal Island have been busy over the past year with projects including the Ragwort Beetle Project and Heritage conservation works. Over the past two years, the branch raised $2400 at the Wooden Boat Festival, made progress on weed control and conservation efforts, and executed a successful Ragwort Beetle project with grants. Stuart's leadership on working bees and grants from Wildcare were instrumental in these achievements. Looking ahead, the branch is considering different meeting formats such as Zoom meetings and in-person gatherings once a year to address opportunities and challenges.

RAGWORT BEETLE PROJECT

In 2022, the project began exploring biological controls for Ragwort on Deal Island.

• By Nov 2023, a grant of $4510 was approved for the project from Wettenhall Environment Trust.
• A total of 650 beetles were collected from Bruny Island to establish a population on Deal Island.
• The project involved collaboration with experts like John Ireson and various organisations for successful implementation.

The collection process involved checking for shot holes as evidence of beetles, vacuuming over multiple plants, and extracting individual beetles. After an overnight stop in the Midlands and a flight from Barnbougle to Deal, 400 beetles were released at Winter Cove. (The beetles were jumping with joy).

WORKING WITH PWS

The FODI team has assisted PWS with ongoing maintenance on Deal Island, including re-painting assets and weed works. The Heritage section secured funding to replace the museum roof, with plans for new conservation works by mid-2025. PWS engaged an environmental waste consultant to audit wastewater assets, with suggestions for improvements. Click here to read the full report (including PWS updates, and the President's report) that was presented at the AGM & General Meeting held in Ross on August 30.