Caring for our Country Business Plan 2010-11
Priorities for investment: National Reserve System
Increasing Indigenous Protected Areas
Key information for this target
The application process for Indigenous Protected Areas funding has now closed.
If you have further questions please contact the Indigenous Protected Area section on 1800 552 008 or contact an Australian Government Indigenous land management facilitator.
- Guidelines for applying for Indigenous Protected Areas funding (PDF - 112 KB) | (Word - 291 KB)
- Map 2.1.1 - Bioregions under-represented in the National Reserve System (PDF - 1.1 MB)
- Information on Indigenous Protected Areas
- Increasing Indigenous Protected Areas target information sheet (PDF - 104 KB)
Why Indigenous Protected Areas are a priority
The National Reserve System is a cornerstone of Australia's biodiversity conservation effort. It protects Australia's unique natural environment for current and future generations. Indigenous Protected Areas are a crucial part of the National Reserve System. Working with Indigenous communities who choose to manage their land for conservation is critical to ensure the unique values on Indigenous owned lands are protected.
Indigenous Protected Areas are areas of land that are owned and managed by Indigenous communities for the protection of their significant natural and cultural values.
Expanding the Indigenous Protected Areas meets Australia's international obligation under the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity.
Targets
Increasing Indigenous Protected Areas
To increase the area of Indigenous-owned land declared as Indigenous Protected Areas and managed as part of the National Reserve System by at least two million hectares a year.
Increasing Indigenous best management practice
To use traditional ecological knowledge in the development of management plans in at least 32 newly initiated Indigenous Protected Area projects over three years.
Investment approach
The Australian Government is calling for proposals from Indigenous organisations who want to investigate the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas on their land.
Investment scope
Funding is available to support the proponent Indigenous organisation and landowners to find out more about how Indigenous Protected Areas work. This includes consulting widely with Indigenous people with an interest in the land and with governments before deciding if they wish to declare an Indigenous Protected Area.
Funding can also be used to develop a plan of management which clearly explains the management actions the Indigenous landowners want to take to protect the values on their lands.
The total value of the proposal must be between $20 000 and $1.5 million.
An agreed management plan is required before an Indigenous Protected Area can be declared.
Funding is also available to support the development of co-management arrangements for existing state and territory managed protected areas.
Developing your proposal
Priority will be given to proposals that:
- identify the consultation process that will be undertaken to ensure the aspirations of traditional owners and other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders with interests in the area will be included in planning for the area
- include the development of a plan of management that combines traditional ecological knowledge and contemporary management practices for conservation (each new Indigenous Protected Area project will contribute to the target to include traditional ecological knowledge in the development of management plans)
- focus on the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas in bioregions that have less than 10 per cent of their area protected in the National Reserve System
- contribute to the conservation of matters of national environmental significance
- add to the representativeness of the National Reserve System
- improve resilience and ecological connectivity within the landscape to assist ecosystems to adapt to climate change
- ensure greater adequacy of bioregions by providing long-term and increased security for one or more ecosystems and associated species
- demonstrate local community support and the capacity of the organisation to deliver the outcomes identified.
Funding is also available to support the development of co-management arrangements for existing state and territory managed protected areas.
Proposals must:
- demonstrate the support of the relevant state or territory conservation agency
- identify a consultation process that ensures the involvement of all appropriate Indigenous interests
- set clear and measurable targets leading to co-management outcomes.
These proposals are solely intended for delivery of Indigenous Protected Area priorities and outcomes and will be competitively assessed on this basis.
Key
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