Regional NRMs have been joining in on NAIDOC celebrations over this past week, and showcasing some of the amazing projects that they are working on in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups across our diverse landscapes. This year’s theme of Healing Country is especially relevant to NRM – which draws on the knowledge and experience of many sectors in the care and management of our land and seascapes. We’re thrilled to see so many NRM projects are deeply engaged with local Aboriginal groups, and reporting positive outcomes as a result. In recognition of NAIDOC week, we’re featuring a handful of projects from across Australia that caught our eye.

Queensland's Northern Gulf Resource Management Group celebrated Reconciliation Day 2021 at Undara Experience in the heart of northern Gulf country. Take a look at the attached video to see Ewamian elder David Hudson talking about local culture and custom.

WA's Wheatbelt NRM celebrated the NAIDOC Week theme of Heal Country! quite literally by joining staff member Jermaine (Bomber) Davis and the Noongar Boodjar Rangers in a native planting day on Gogulgar Bilya (Avon River). https://wheatbeltnrm.org.au/whats-happening/news/aboriginal-nrm/heal-country-our-celebration-naidoc-week

SA's Limestone Coast Landscape Board has been working collaboratively with First Nations to create the Walking Together Statement of Commitment, developed to confirm their commitment to working with First Nations on the sustainability of landscape management. To celebrate, the LC Landscape Board commissioned an artwork by Marie Clarke, a proud Wemba, Wemba, Wergaia, Gunditjmara woman. https://www.facebook.com/LCLandscapeSA/posts/121643446825582
Late last year North Queensland Dry Tropics launched the Healing Country project, a partnership with Indigenous employment group Three Big Rivers LTD funded through the Queensland Government’s $10 million Reef Assist program. Under the project, members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Team are gaining practical on-ground skills working on NQ Dry Tropics projects across North Queensland, while undertaking an accredited environmental training program. https://www.facebook.com/nqdrytropicsNRM/posts/4055319077870930
In Victoria, Glenelg Hopkins CMA Board members were given a tour last week of the amazing new works underway at the Budj Bim World Heritage site. This included Gunditj Mirring’s new Keeping Place, and the new Aquaculture Centre at Tae Rak (Lake Condah). The event was part of their efforts to improve cultural awareness in their organisation and to keep learning about the extraordinary Gunditjmara Country and culture. https://www.facebook.com/GlenelgHopkinsCMA/posts/173915911441093

Working with NSW's Black Duck Foods, the team at South East Local Land Services held a native grain workshop where participants came together to share traditional knowledge and connect with Country. View the video for a recap of the workshop.

Water and Culture

Water and Culture – NAIDOC Week 💦📽️Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Owners recently joined Mallee Catchment Management Authority at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park to see the environmental water delivery and how traditional knowledge is helping inform natural resource management. In this video we hear from community what water means for cultural values.#NAIDOC#mallee#visithattah

Posted by Mallee Catchment Management Authority on Monday, 5 July 2021
Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Owners recently joined Mallee Catchment Management Authority at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park in Victoria to see the environmental water delivery and how traditional knowledge is helping inform natural resource management. In this video we hear from community what water means for cultural values.
The Sugar Shack Complex is a series of wetlands located on the lower Murrundi (River Murray) floodplain near Swan Reach, SA. The wetlands have been cared for by generations of Nganguraku people – part of the Ngarrindjeri Nation. Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board delivery partners have been working with Nganguraku people to manage the wetlands, supporting the many special species in the area – including Regent parrots, Silver perch and the Southern bell frog. This partnership brings together cultural and scientific knowledge to deliver water for the environment to the wetlands and is having some impressive environmental results.