This project is being delivered on the Traditional Country of the Wanyurr-Madjandji, Yidinji, Bindal and Darumbal Peoples, in the Great Barrier Reef catchments near Cairns, Townsville, and Yeppoon.
Riparian and wetland restoration projects are an important part of improving coastal ecology, for Great Barrier Reef water quality and for local wildlife. These projects often involve controlling invasive species and planting native species to restore the vegetation community.
Projects in these areas are often constrained by site access due to boggy terrain and safety issues such as crocodiles. Limitations of cost can prevent upscaling of efforts, as project sites are often remote. Using drones may help address these limitations; however, the most cost effective and best practice methods for using them in restoration projects are not well understood.
Drones are being used more widely in environmental work and are becoming more accessible and cost effective. There is potential to use drones for monitoring, targeted weed control, and seed dispersal in riparian and wetland restoration.
In this innovative project, we are doing a series of trials to compare drone applications to manual efforts for monitoring, weed control and seed dispersal. The comparison will help identify when it is most effective to use drones – and when it is not. We will share our findings with other stakeholders by developing best practice guidelines and a cost-effective matrix comparing drone and manual applications.
Team members from Greening Australia, QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mulgrave Landcare, and Wanyurr-Majay Aboriginal Corporation working together to conduct drone trials.
Drone trials are currently underway. We are working with local regional partners at each site to identify the restoration approach and to integrate drones into monitoring, weed control and seed dispersal, as appropriate.
This project is part of Greening Australia’s Reef Aid program, funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Greening Australia is delivering this project in collaboration with Mulgrave Landcare, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Wanyurr-Majay Aboriginal Corporation, Burdekin Shire Council, Gudjuda Rangers, James Cook University, Aerial Image Works, Drone That, Livingstone Shire Council, Surfrider Foundation and Fitzroy Basin Association.
For more information about this project or any of our programs, please send us an online query.
Martha is Greening Australia’s Technical Lead in Science and Planning for the Reef Aid program, working on the monitoring, evaluation and reporting for our projects to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef. She is a highly skilled and passionate environmental scientist and marine biologist, with a MSc from James Cook University and over 10 years of experience working in coastal ecology and environmental research. Martha also brings experience in project management and innovative technology to the team. She is passionate about improving the long-term wellbeing of the Reef and coastal habitats for their inhabitants and our community.
