Public participation in invasive species management - Invasive Species Management - page 97

Fig. 7.2 Preparing tracking tunnels and bait stations for surveillance of
Pacifi c rats ( R. exulans ) on Viwa Island, Fiji. Photo: Bill Nagle.
The nature of the eradication project required the full approval and support of
the local population.
During an early phase of the feasibility study, the project team consulted
extensively with the local community seeking local input and support. Through
this consultative process it became apparent that local support was strongest for
eradication of the rat, rather than the cane toad. Through the eating of crops
and stored foodstuffs, and the known health risks to the local community (e.g.
spreading leptospirosis), rats were perceived as the greatest pest. Based on the
community's wishes, the project team prioritized the rat eradication over the cane
toad eradication. This ensured support from the community for the proposed
activities (Denny et al . 2005) (Figs. 7.1 and 7.2).
See: Pacifi c Invasives Initiative website: http://www.issg.org/cii/PII
h e world is seeing a rapid increase in community-led initiatives around the
environment in general and IAS management in particular. h ese initiatives grow
out of community concerns and eff ort and are traditional grass roots activities.
Some community initiatives leverage government resources over time but remain
driven, and owned, by local communities. One example of a community-led
initiative is Weedbusters, an awareness programme that alerts people to the dam-
aging eff ects of weeds and involves them in weed control ( http://www.weedbusters.
info/). Awareness-raising events around Australia are organized by individuals,