Protecting art sites and stone country

Funded by the Australian Government, Territory NRM are working with Traditional Owners, Njanjma Rangers and Injalak Arts Centre to tackle the invasive mission grass that is invading Injalak Hill. Injalak Hill, a place of deep cultural significance to the Kunwinjku Traditional Owners containing ancient rock art and a rock shelter, is within the Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland (stone country)- a threatened ecological community.

Stone country is threatened by frequent, large, and intense fires. Grassy weeds, like mission grass, out-compete native species and exacerbate fires. These extreme hot fires damage rock art found through the stone country, and destroy shrublands and old-growth forests, leaving birds and mammals without breeding habitat.

Working with Territory NRM staff, the Njanjma Rangers developed valuable skills in herbicide mixing, operating sprayers, and managing weeds in remote locations to enable them to keep mission grass under control.