First Nations - Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc

Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc. acknowledges the cultural practices of First Nations Peoples who visit this site.

Please be advised that the media and documents available may contain names, images and voices of people who have passed away.

Our First Nations Resources page brings together external organisations, programs and learning tools that support culturally led land management and partnership on Country. This page is intended to help Landcare groups, landholders, schools and community partners connect with First Nations-led knowledge, guidelines and opportunities for working together in ways that are respectful, relational and driven by community priorities.

Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc Resources

Revegetation Guide

Revegetation Guide provides practical, up-to-date advice, plant information including cultural use and mapping tools.

Revegetation Home – Revegetation Guide

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Guide

A guide providing insight on what to do if you come across Aboriginal artefacts.

Download the PDF here

Landcare Led Resilience

Wiradjuri man Dean Freeman led a cultural burning workshop exploring traditional land management, cool burns, biodiversity, and connections to Country.

Caring For Country

Wiradjuri man Peter Beath led a Caring for Country event exploring cultural sites, heritage protection, and traditional land management in Coolac.

News and Case Studies

Case Study: Blitzing Away with Culture

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…

Case study: Connecting Elders and Seniors with Nature

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…

Case study: Cultural Burn Workshop: Building Drought Tolerance

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…

Case study: Enhancing Cultural Heritage Protection

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…

Case study: Celebrating Local Talent and Produce at the Riverina Harvest Festival

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…

Case Study 3-6: Engaging Year 8 in Caring for Country

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…

Found A Fossil

Found a Fossil is an Australian educational project and website offering clear, accessible guidelines and resources on what to do if you find fossils or Indigenous artefacts, promoting heritage protection and respectful reporting.

For Indigenous Finds — Found a Fossil

Environment and Heritage

Access information on NSW Aboriginal cultural heritage, including preservation, cultural significance, and resources to protect and celebrate Indigenous sites, stories, and traditions.

Aboriginal cultural heritage | Heritage | Environment and Heritage

Wiradjuri Plant Use Guide

A guide sharing Wiradjuri knowledge of local plants, their traditional uses and care, supporting learning, respect, and connection to Country.

Wiradjuri Plant Use

Cultural Burns Are Cool

An educational story introducing children to Aboriginal cultural burning practices through animal characters, showing how cool burns restore ecosystems, reduce weeds, and support healthy landscapes.

Cultural burns are cool

Wiradjuri Heritage Study

An overview of Wiradjuri history, culture, and significant heritage places in Wagga Wagga, highlighting ancestral connections to Country, traditional practices, and ongoing community presence.

Wiradjuri Heritage Study | Wagga Wagga City Council

NSW Aboriginal Land Council Map

NSWALC Boundaries map which provides a clear picture of Aboriginal Land Council Boundaries, Local Government Area Boundaries, NSW Roads and Rivers etc.

Land Council Map – NSW Aboriginal Land Council

Landcare Australia - Cultural Burning

Fire and Water, Healing Country and People – video produced by Landcare Australia

This film is an important legacy from the 2021 National Landcare Conference. Following Victor Steffensen and Barry Hunter allows us to see through the eyes of Indigenous land managers why actively managing Country is important for people and for Country. The film reminds us all as landcarers, that there are many ways of looking at Country and that Country will be healthier if we work in partnership and trust together.

Fire and Water, Healing Country and People – YouTube

Landcare Australia - Understanding Culture

Understanding Country Through Indigenous Knowledge – video produced by Landcare Australia

This film is an important legacy from the 2022 National Landcare Conference. Victor Steffensen guides us through understanding Country with an Indigenous perspective.

Cultural Land Management Panel – Victor Steffensen | 2022 National Landcare Conference – YouTube

Understanding Native Title and Land Rights

NSW Aboriginal Land Rights and Native Title in Australia

Native Title

The Native Title Act recognises the traditional rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples based on their ongoing cultural and spiritual connection to Country. It provides a legal process for determining where Native Title exists and how those rights are acknowledged under Australian law.

Native Title Act 1993 – Federal Register of Legislation

Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 No 42 – NSW Legislation

The Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) recognises that Aboriginal people were dispossessed of their land and provides a way to return land through a legal claim process. Under this Act, Aboriginal Land Councils can claim only claimable Crown land

Landcare NSW - Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program

A set of Aboriginal Protocols Guidelines developed to assist the Landcare community.

Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program – Landcare NSW