Dhimurru and Yirralka Rangers in North-East Arnhem Land have teamed up with local schools to deliver the Learning on Country

The National Landcare Programme is investing in projects that build on our partnerships with Indigenous people and communities so they have the opportunity to fully participate in land and sea management, drawing on their significant and unique knowledge, skills and responsibilities.

The National Landcare Programme has a central role in supporting Indigenous people and organisations to participate in the delivery of NRM. It is achieving progress in this area through activities such as planning support, utilising and respecting Indigenous ecological knowledge, capacity building and the delivery of on-ground activities.

Indigenous people and organisations have cultural responsibilities for managing their traditional lands, employment and partnerships, with economic and social benefits while delivering improved outcomes for biodiversity. The opportunities for Indigenous participation in the delivery of NRM activities is only limited by the capacity and experience of an Indigenous community to be involved and identifying the most suitable and practicable level of involvement.

Projects

The National Landcare Programme is currently investing in a number of important projects that include:

• on-ground NRM activities (e.g. fire, rehabilitation, weed or pest management);
• the recording and continued use, support and reinvigoration of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge to underpin biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources
• employment and capacity building, including access to appropriate training, education, land and sea management planning, management activities and enterprise development
• clear articulation of Indigenous land and sea aspirations in regional NRM plans and the development and implementation of regional NRM Indigenous participation strategies;
• development of land and sea management plans;
• Indigenous Participation Strategies that provide a framework and practical guide for regional NRM organisations to partner with and include Indigenous people in the planning, consultation and implementation of NRM investment.
  • A strategy can support the organisation to improve its Indigenous engagement and participation, provide clear guidance on the opportunities available through effective Indigenous participation in NRM planning, programs and processes, provide the foundations for increasing Indigenous employment opportunities within each regional NRM organisation and partner organisations and clearly set out targets and measures of success to ensure the strategy is successfully implemented.