This abstract proposes a grounded, action-forward response to biodiversity loss and the climate crisis by centring the long-term relevance of ethnobotany in Aboriginal-led conservation and biocultural living.
Drawing on knowledge systems, including seasonal indicators, plant use, and land-based governance; this work speaks to the urgent intersection of ecology, culture, and survival.
At its core is the leadership of Traditional Owners, Elders, scientists, and community members, whose work in biocultural protocols and right-way science offers a transformative model of Indigenous governance and collaborative research.
This presentation reflects the NRM themes “Rethinking the Future” and “Indigenous Land and Water Management,” showing that Indigenous knowledge is not heritage. It’s method, practice, and future-making. As an outcome of this conference, the aim is to realise this as a funded, scalable project. It’s not only relevant – it’s necessary. This is conservation through relationship, restoration through culture, and science through lived knowledge.
References
Cooke, P., Fahey, M., Ens, E.J., Raven, M., Clarke, P.A., Rossetto, M. & Turpin, G. (2022). Applying biocultural research protocols in ecology: Insider and outsider experiences from Australia. Ecological Management & Restoration, 23(S1), pp.64–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12545
Ens, E.J. & Turpin, G. (2022). Synthesis of Australian cross-cultural ecology featuring a decade of annual Indigenous ecological knowledge symposia. Ecological Management & Restoration, 23(S1), pp.3–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12539
Pei, S., Alan, H. & Wang, Y. (2020). Vital roles for ethnobotany in conservation and sustainable development. Plant Diversity, 42, pp.399–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2020.12.001
Prance, G.T. (2007). Ethnobotany, the science of survival: A declaration from Kaua’i. Economic Botany, 61(1), pp.1–2. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02862367
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Authors:
Andrew Vocke
