Buffel Grass

Traditional Owners help turn the tide on Buffel Grass

“We have a win-win situation here in the war against Buffel Grass” says Pat Hodgens, Ranger from Parks and Wildlife.  “Together with Traditional Owners of Rainbow Valley we are seeing evidence that we are winning the battle against Buffel Grass.  We are stopping it before it takes off.” Mr Hodgens says “It might be a small win to some, but our pilot project shows that it can work and that persistence pays off.”

Rainbow Valley became a jointly managed Park in 2008. Traditional Owners and Park Rangers have been working together ever since. Together they have been looking after the country and trying to free Rainbow Valley of  Buffel Grass.


Rangers and three generations of Traditional Owners control Buffel Grass and Rainbow Valley

“Early intervention is the best way to tackle Buffel Grass” says Mr Hodgens.  “Ten years ago Rangers started this control program at Rainbow Valley. Today with Traditional Owners we are recording very few new Buffel Grass plants in areas where there has been intensive management”.  Controlling the impacts from Buffel Grass is a critical issue in our National Parks.  The plants rapid growth also generates high fuel loads that result in hot fires which irreparably change our landscape.  “If we don’t work on this our native shrublands will become foreign grasslands” says Mr Hodgens.

Rainbow Valley Traditional Owner Peter Kenny has been a key player in the Buffel grass eradication program, which now employs three generations of his family "It's a good chance for us to see country going strong. We like to get rid of the Buffel grass and we also keep fit by walking around Rainbow Valley with the Rangers".


Peter and Dennis Kenny strip Buffel Grass seed before spraying.

“Our aim is to expand this control program to new high priority areas while maintaining the control achieved so far” says Senior Ranger Rick Hope. “And working with Traditional Owners makes it even more meaningful” say Mr Hope. “Our work provides employment, training, a better environment and a bit of hope. Like we’ve been saying from the start, Joint Management is a win-win for everybody.” say Mr Hope.

Rainbow Valley is a small reserve located approx 70km south of Alice Springs.

For More information contact Patrick Hodgens 8952 1013