First Nations People and scientists working together to monitor Country through citizen science We are lucky enough that there are people in the world who care deeply about our natural environment. Whether they are scientists, people who work in natural resource management or First Nations People who have been caring for Country since time immemorial. However, the most common discussion that we…
Blooming Connections brought older Murrumbidgee residents together through nature-based activities, building skills, friendships and confidence while promoting wellbeing, environmental awareness and long-term community connection across the region. Across the Murrumbidgee region, many older residents face social isolation, limited opportunities for connection and reduced access to community activities. Rural living increases these challenges through distance, transport…
Hay Plains Landcare delivered an educational Cultural Burn Workshop: Building Drought Tolerance, facilitated by Dean Freeman and the Gugaa Collective to broaden understanding of Cultural Burns to reduce exotic weed, promote native ground cover and increase drought tolerance. Over the two days we shared learning and strengthened Cultural understanding, supporting intergenerational learning and preserving First…
Due to the impacts of colonisation, traditional knowledge about identifying and protecting Aboriginal Cultural Sites has not always been passed down through generations. As a result, many community members and local stakeholders lacked the practical skills and legal understanding needed to accurately identify, record, and protect these sites. Unfamiliarity with relevant legislation and limited experience…
Murrumbidgee Landcare teamed up with a group of local not-for-profits to bring the Riverina Harvest Festival to life, a two-day celebration showcasing the region’s rich agricultural and artistic diversity Despite being the food bowl of NSW, Riverina producers often struggle with local visibility and connecting with the community around our rich, high-quality local produce. A…
Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc and Nari Nari Tribal Council facilitated a Caring for Country Day for year eight students at Hay War Memorial High School The issue Many Year 8 students feel disconnected and seek ways to contribute and feel like they belong in society. Year 8 Hay War Memorial High School Science Teacher Miss…
A field day at ‘Allandale’ in Narrandera, exploring the connection between Cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation. The issue Cultural connections in Australian conservation face several challenges, including the difficulty of mainstream society recognising intangible Cultural resources and integrating traditional ecological knowledge into mainstream frameworks. Systemic barriers, such as historical disconnection from policy and…
Landcare groups often find themselves uncertain about how to approach an Acknowledgment of Country. Many worry that without a deep understanding of First Nations Culture, their Acknowledgment might feel tokenistic or just a formality. This was a concern for Coolamon Landcare. They didn’t want their Acknowledgment to be just a statement , they wanted it…
Education access for Cultural burn and awareness has many restrictions, particularly the available location to undertake a Cultural burn. There is a lack of educational resources and opportunities for youth to learn about Cultural burning and First Nations ecological practices. Whilst some curriculum resources touch on these topics in the classroom, there is a need…