Master Class on Leadership for Community Engagement

Systems Mapping Study for Widely Established Invasive Species

The Victorian State Government is committed to working in partnership with communities across the state to manage invasive weeds and animals. This commitment recognises the $1 billion plus cost of invasive species in Victoria each year on private land, in addition to their significant socio-ecological impacts.

Agriculture Victoria, in collaboration with community pest management groups for blackberry, gorse, serrated tussock and rabbits, has commissioned a study to gain a thorough understanding of how our social systems work for managing these invasive species. The Systems Mapping Study draws on different types of knowledge from the community and from technical, scientific and policy fields.

Information is being gathered using interviews, and an online survey and storyboard. You can participate by sharing your story here. This information will be presented at a workshop in April 2017 as a series of systems maps, stories and imagery to communicate how blackberry, gorse, serrated tussock and rabbits are managed. Using this information, workshop participants will deliberate on ways to better support community action. The study will also guide future investment in community action on invasive species in Victoria, made possible through the Australian Government Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.

The study is being undertaken by Lisa Adams & Associates.

Key dates 2017:

Interviews: January

Survey: February

Storyboard: January – March

Workshop: April