Free Plant Packs For National Science Week

TO celebrate National Science Week from August 15 to 23, the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) are giving out free plant packs to those who want to explore biosecuirty in their own backyard and become part of the online biosecurity warrior team.

Plant health packs can be ordered online from Eventbrite and include a magnifying macro lens for smart phones, to take photos of suspicious pests and diseases to send to the NSW DPI Plant Biosecurity Hotline.

On August 15, a free digital Sydney Science Trail quest will also be available online, with interactive biosecurity lessons and tours hosted by leading scientists.

Biosecurity Warrior Alexis Coffey-Bailey explores her backyard with a magnifying macro lens from the free NSW DPI plant health and biosecurity activity pack. Photo by NSW DPI.

NSW DPI plant pathologist Jordan Bailey, said people of all ages are welcome to join the online quest, which runs until September 15.

“In partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Auatralian Museum, NSW DPI encourages everyone to join the Sydney Science Trail’s free online quest, with interactive games, live-streamed talks, explosive science shows and virtual tours hosted by leading scientists and researchers,” Dr Bailey said.

“NSW DPI has developed it’s own interactive page where kids and adults can join the Biosecurity Warriors, to explore plants, what makes them healthy and nasty biosecurity threats which can affect them,” she said.

“We aim to increase awareness of the importance of biosecurity and show how everyone can play their part in protecting Australia’s plants from exotic pest and diseases,”  she said.

NSW DPI has collaborated with Science Hubs in Orange, Cowra and Cabonne to produce short videos as part of an online program, called Plant X.

Dr Bailey said during Science Week, real-life biosecurity warriors from the Plant X program will be available to chat via live webinar sessions.

“Living through a pandemic, we all know how fast infections can spread around the glove and the same threats exist for our plants, in the environment and crops,” Dr Bailey said.

“Governments do all they can to monitor, detect and stop these exotic pests and diseases form establishing, but we need your help,” she said.

“The more people we have on the lookout for plant pests and diseases, who let us know when they find something of concern, puts us all in a better position to protect our future…we encourage everyone to get involved and enjoy Science Week this year,” said Dr Jordan Bailey.