April 26: The Fire Ant Threat – Reece Pianta, Invasive Species Council

“The sports ground is closed. The playground is not open to the public. Our BBQ has been cancelled. We found fire ants (Solenopsis invicta).”
This will be the new Australian experience if fire ants continue to breach containment and spread across Australia.

At the next Friday Environment Forum on April 26th, Reece Pianta, Advocacy Manager at the Invasive Species Council, will describe the fire ant threat which could be a multi-billion dollar hit to Australia’s economy. Fire ants are three times more venomous than other stinging insects and their attacks can be fatal. Overseas, fire ants are causing agricultural land to become unviable. These invaders are creeping further north threatening the Sunshine Coast lifestyle and environment. The Invasive Species Council has advocated for fire ant action over the past twenty years – now is our crucial last chance to avoid a fire ant future. Come and learn how concerned we should be about this threat and what can be done now, before it is too late!

Everyone is welcome to the Friday Forum on April 26th at the Noosa Parks Association Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville. The forum starts at 10:30am and morning tea is available at 10-10.25am. Entry is $5 by tap & go at the door which includes morning tea/coffee.  

Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.