caring for our country Achievements Report COMMUNITY SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ENGAGEMENT 2008 –2013 Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Hartwell Cove. Source: A. Mann Community, Skills, Knowledge and Engagement
The capacity and participation of Indigenous people, volunteers and community groups in protecting and managing natural resources and environmental assets has been increased through engagement and access to relevant knowledge and skills.
3 Table of contents
Introduction 5
Outcome 1 Improve urban and regional communities’ access to knowledge and skills to help them manage natural resources sustainably and protect the environment. 6
Case study: Indigenous partnerships in managing natural resources in south-west Victoria 8
Case study: SAGE community demonstration project, New South Wales 10
Case study: Building biodiversity resilience and connectivity in three priority catchments, Queensland 12
Case study: Coordinated response to on-ground control of mimosa, Northern Territory 13
Case study: Mawonga Indigenous Protected Area consultation project, New South Wales 14
Outcome 2 Increase the engagement and participation rates of urban and regional communities in activities to manage natural resources and to help protect the environment. 16
Case study: Taroona foreshore native plant trial podcast and walkabout series, Tasmania 18
Case study: A strategic framework for biodiversity conservation, Western Australia 20
Case study: Moreton Bay oil spill environmental restoration program, Queensland 23
Case study: Volunteers protecting endangered shorebirds, New South Wales 26
Case study: Tasmanian Landcaring Grants program, Tasmania 28
Case study: Local Indigenous solutions for a global problem—ghost nets, Northern Territory and Queensland 29
Outcome 3 Position all regional natural resource management organisations to deliver best-practice landscape conservation and sustainable land use planning to communities and land managers within their regions. 31
Case study: Developing collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve landscape-scale change in the Port Phillip and Western Port region, Victoria 33
Case study: South East Queensland Catchments—a community partnership, Queensland 35
Outcome 4 Ensure the continued use, support and reinvigoration of traditional ecological knowledge to underpin biodiversity conservation. 36
Case study:Supporting the recording of traditional ecological knowledge in the Torres Strait, Queensland 37
Case study: Working on Country, National 38
Case study: Tjuwanpa Rangers, Northern Territory 41
Case study: Managing natural and cultural resources across the Central Land Council region, Northern Territory 42
Case study: Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Martu Ranger Program in the Western Desert, Western Australia 43
Case study: Reinvigorating the use of traditional knowledge in the dry tropics, Queensland 44
Building upon strong foundations with community engagement and awareness—Phase II Caring for our Country 2013–2018 48
References 49 Introduction
The Caring for our Country initiative depended on RM Consulting Group completed an independent successful partnerships to deliver projects and evaluation of the community skills, knowledge and achieve outcomes and overall objectives for engagement outcomes that included interviews, long-term environmental protection. Embedded in surveys and site visits with selected project the majority of projects was the concept of increasing managers, regional facilitators, landholders, project Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement participants and departmental program staff. In total, (CSKE). Consultation revealed that the initiative 132 groups or individuals across 44 projects were engaged a much broader audience than previous consulted (RMCG CSKE 2013). The intermediate natural resource management (NRM) programs. nature of CSKE outcomes meant they were often These audiences included urban and coastal not directly recorded by proponents. Due to the communities, Indigenous groups, schoolchildren unique nature of Indigenous engagement, a separate and young adults, community and industry groups, evaluation was conducted by Urbis for the traditional businesses, regional NRM organisations, ecological knowledge component of this national non-government organisations and all levels of priority area (Urbis 2013). The extent of improved government. The Caring for our Country initiative capacity and community stewardship of the land was evolved over time and placed increasing priority on measured by increased awareness of natural assets; community engagement, recognising the important role increased participation in Caring for our Country Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement of communities in implementing on-ground work and activities; increased knowledge and skills; and actual the need to ensure that capacity was built to continue attitude, behaviour and practice change. progressing environmental activities after the end of the initiative. The cross-cutting nature of this priority area High levels of community engagement and increased meant that it was funded indirectly through projects access to knowledge and skills facilitated greater in other priority areas, and biophysical activities were capacity to protect and improve the condition of the underpinned by activities to enhance community skills, environment in future and empowered landholders to knowledge and engagement. To achieve long-term confidently implement new practices. Participation in environmental outcomes at a national level, investing projects led to some shifts in attitudes and adoption in people is as critical as investing in on-ground work. of practices as participants were equipped with new knowledge. A range of unintended social and economic Strategic outcomes assisted with guiding Caring benefits also resulted from community engagement in for our Country investments that contributed to the the initiative, especially in small rural communities: from community skills, knowledge and engagement improved social connectivity and wellbeing to increased national priority area: employability of individuals and boosts to local economies from the establishment of local industries. »» By 2013, Caring for our Country will improve urban Stakeholder feedback indicated that there was strong and regional communities’ access to knowledge support for Community Action Grants, Regional and skills to manage natural resources sustainably Landcare Facilitators, locally-based outposted officers, and help protect the environment. flexibility in delivery mechanisms and the opportunity »» By 2013, Caring for our Country will increase the to access longer-term funding to provide consistent engagement and participation rates of urban and and adequate support over longer periods of time. regional communities in activities to manage natural It was acknowledged that long-term funding must be resources and help protect the environment. provided because it takes time to build relationships »» By 2013, Caring for our Country will position all and change practices. Furthermore, investments from regional NRM organisations to deliver best-practice Caring for our Country were often a basis for leveraging landscape conservation and sustainable land use additional funding from other sources. While changing planning to communities and land managers within practices is generally a slow process, the Regional their regions. Landcare Facilitator program enhanced the speed and extent of practice change. »» By 2013, Caring for our Country will ensure the continued use, support and reinvigoration of traditional ecological knowledge to underpin biodiversity conservation.
5 The first five years of Caring for our Country Outcome 1 emphasised a number of important factors for successful community engagement in NRM. Most importantly, it is clear that a flexible and tailored Improve urban and regional communities’ approach is essential for each project given the access to knowledge and skills to help diversity of projects, locations, target audiences and them manage natural resources sustainably environmental issues. Some common principles and protect the environment. that were crucial to engagement were the need to understand each community, offer continuous support Building knowledge and skills is an essential over time, ensure participants had an appropriate component of building individual and institutional mixture of skills and experience, adaptively manage capacity in NRM to achieve environmental outcomes. projects and appropriately manage and recognise Increasing access to learning opportunities is an volunteers. Caring for our Country had some important important first step. A range of different approaches legacies which are expected to generate ongoing and audiences, such as Indigenous communities and community and environmental outcomes: instilling land managers, farmers and fishers, were targeted renewed vision and momentum for community groups; for this outcome. As a result of accessing new establishing new groups; empowering land managers; knowledge and skills, there were some noticeable creating ongoing partnerships and networks; and shifts in attitudes and behaviours. Many landholders recording and sharing information, approaches and in agricultural industries adopted sustainable land lessons learned. Partnerships provided access to a management practices, while many urban and coastal broader supply of knowledge, skills and resources and residents adjusted their behaviour in their homes enabled projects to be delivered in more coordinated and recreational areas to protect the environment. ways at larger scales. Engaging communities in the There is also evidence of practice change within initiative had many positive environmental outcomes, organisations: in a Communities in Landscapes such as reduced threats to environmental values, project, the New South Wales Department of Primary improved condition and extent of native vegetation Industries adapted practices to manage for both and habitat and improved condition of rivers, wetlands biodiversity and agricultural production. Within the and estuaries. National Reserve System priority area, support was provided to Indigenous organisations to assist them to consider whether to declare their land as an Indigenous Protected Area. Through the sustainable “There has been a maturity of how local farm practices national priority area, over 78 000 land and regional groups work together managers and farmers were involved in over and add value, almost despite the 1300 projects to improve their knowledge and skills in competitive nature of the funding managing natural resources and environmental assets. model”—Chair of a regional NRM Activities included field days, workshops, on-farm organisation. demonstrations and distribution of information using traditional and electronic media. Changes in attitudes, behaviours and practices are intermediate outcomes to achieve long-term environmental outcomes. The Caring for our Country initiative increased urban and regional community access to knowledge and skills in managing natural resources. Access was enhanced by: »» bringing people together to share knowledge, skills and experiences »» providing access to technical specialists »» translating technical information into a usable format »» providing formal education opportunities »» recording and sharing traditional ecological knowledge »» building partnerships and networks. Some of the achievements for improving access to knowledge and skills included:
»» landowners committing to four years of Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement involvement in benchmark soil testing, farm planning, agronomist mentoring and advice, soil training, and field days in a sustainable farming and soil project in north-east Victoria »» land managers near Mackay in Queensland participated in a Reef Catchments survey Looking at the soil carbon content of soils. Source: North-East to determine community perception of Catchment Management Authority the condition of the O’Connell River and conservation priorities for their own properties »» broadacre farmers attended a program of events run by the Bugs and Biology Farmer Group to learn about alternative approaches to managing soil health »» participants were involved in a horticultural community demonstration site run by Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Eurobodalla (SAGE) »» in the Mangarrayi Indigenous community in the Northern Territory, cultural camps are held approximately three times a year to transfer traditional ecological and cultural knowledge between community members and generations.
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" Indigenous partnerships in managing natural
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" In south-west Victoria, the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment
" Management Authority received funding from Caring for “Farmers are very practical " " our Country to work in partnership with the Gunditj Mirring people—until they could see it, CASE STUDY
" " Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to record and " they weren’t convinced it would "
implement ecological knowledge. The project was work”—project manager. " " adapted over time to meet the needs of stakeholders. " It strengthened existing relationships and offered opportunities
" " to share and promote traditional and contemporary land management practices. A participatory approach "
" was based on mutual respect between all participants and included a strong governance structure to ensure "
" " that approval of all aspects of the project was gained from the full board of the Indigenous organisation. Taking time to establish workable governance arrangements was very valuable. Traditional Owners strengthened their capacity to classify and record information and then shared knowledge with NRM agencies and individual landowners. Information was validated by academics, agencies and landholders.
" There were extensive capacity-building efforts at the beginning of the project. Indigenous field officers were " involved in every activity, including flora and fauna surveys, heritage works and natural resource activities. " " " On-ground works were undertaken to preserve cultural heritage of fish traps and stone houses, while other "
" activities restored stony rise wetlands and manna gum woodlands and controlled weeds and pest animals. " An extension toolkit was developed to facilitate communication between Indigenous and non-Indigenous land "
" " " managers as well as common understandings of land management. The toolkit is expected to be valuable in
" facilitating the ongoing cultural exchange of knowledge. The project has made a substantial contribution to "
regional development in south-west Victoria. It also facilitated strong linkages with the Winda Mara Aboriginal " " Corporation and the Budj Bim Rangers Program. Lessons learned about governance and Indigenous " engagement are being shared outside the region, and the formation of relationships will be a lasting legacy
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Glenelg Hopkins CMA Map produced by ERIN April 2013.
Natural Resource Management (NRM) Regions 2010 © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities with data compiled through cooperative efforts of the State/Territory Government Agencies.
Caveats: All data are presumed to be correct as received from data providers. No responsibility is taken by the Commonwealth for errors or omissions, and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility in 0 100 200 respect to any information or advice given in relation to, or as a km consequence of anything contained herein.
Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Area region, Victoria. Source: ERIN, DSEWPaC
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" Caring for our Country funded networks of state They are also used in the Landcare In Focus lift-out and territory outposted officers, Regional Landcare that features quarterly in the Rural Press newspapers, Facilitators and the National Landcare Facilitator to with a distribution of over 100 000 copies, support regional organisations, community groups and to demonstrate best practice. The 2012 National land managers to better manage natural resources Landcare Conference was attended by almost and access knowledge and skills. The initiative 600 delegates from across Australia and for the first time it featured live streaming of keynote speakers and supported the existing grass-roots Landcare network panels to over 250 visitors. The #landcareconf12 to create awareness of environmental stewardship Twitter hashtag was created to enhance delivery of key and implement actions, linking local communities messages. It has encouraged more interaction and with governments and industry. There are over 6000 online conversation amongst Landcare stakeholders, Landcare and Coastcare groups across Australia, with over 900 social media mentions. composed of local community volunteers who undertake tangible actions such as tree planting Community participants made up the majority (Landcare 2013). Regional Landcare Facilitators played of conference registrations, followed by other a central role in maintaining continuity of contact with professionals (local, state or Australian Government and stakeholders and building trust and relationships in their industry; also including non-government organisations such as Greening Australia, Landcare Australia Limited communities. These facilitators assisted communities and State Landcare Associations), regional NRM
with accessing NRM knowledge and skills and provided Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement bodies (e.g. Catchment Management Authorities) accessible information and training opportunities to and international delegates. Landcare groups. They acted as a known contact point, which facilitated quick responses to issues and the The National Landcare Conference 2012 plenary ability to capitalise on emerging opportunities. Funding sessions rated well, with speakers such as David also assisted with connecting different groups together, Suzuki and the ‘Landcare to Lunchbox’ panel which often requires time, effort and expenses. receiving a satisfaction rate of over 90 per cent. The session provided insights from panel members Caring for our Country has supported awards and on the role that Landcare may have in responding to conferences in each state and territory and in 2010 national and global sustainability issues centred and 2012 supported national Landcare conferences on the balance of sustainable food production. as an opportunity to bring Landcare, farm system and The ‘Landcare to Lunchbox’ session featured scientist other community groups together to share information and environmentalist Tim Flannery, Woolworths on new and innovative approaches to NRM and representative Andrew Hall, medical practitioner and sustainable agriculture. Case studies and information nutritionist Carole Hungerford, farmer and National on award nominees and winners are promoted Farm Federation President Jock Laurie and food through Landcare Australia Limited’s website. and wine personality Lyndey Milan.
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Other ProfessionalsOther Professionals0 Landcare0 LandcareLandcare LandcareThe legacy The legacyOur lessons OurLandcare lessons futureLandcare future be heard be toheard lunchboxto lunchboxDavid SuzukiDavid Suzukion future on infuture our handsin our hands Regional NRMRegional bodies NRM bodies
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Conference registrations. Source: DAFF Satisfaction rating for plenary sessions. Source: DAFF
9 SAGE community demonstration project, New South Wales
Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Eurobodalla (SAGE) was a community-driven initiative which received a Caring for our Country Community Action Grant to implement an innovative trial using treated effluent in food production. Small- to medium-scale landholders increased their knowledge and skills in CASE STUDY sustainable agricultural and horticultural practices.
A success of the demonstration project was that it utilised the most effective media for the target audience by offering a mixture of theory, practical work and social interaction through field days and workshops.
The trial methodology of organic ‘wicking beds’ was an affordable and water-efficient means for food production and was adopted by many participants. Reduced water consumption means there is now more water available in the environment for fauna and flora species and natural ecological processes.
There is evidence that adults learn well when “It is important to learn and build on their knowledge and experience is acknowledged what you know. You have to accept and they are encouraged to learn from others. that things don’t always go to plan. Adult learning principles were applied to many You need to adequately resource a projects, offering informal learning opportunities project to enable some flexibility to that were self-directed, relevant and practical. accommodate the unexpected. The Caring for our Country initiative employed a range of different approaches to bring people We are in the process of documenting together—for example, by establishing formal or our experiences and the process and informal community groups and implementing approach we used for engaging with on-ground works using working bees, field Indigenous communities and getting days, workshops, farm tours and social events. them involved in on-ground activities. Demonstration sites and trials were another We intend to share this with our practical educational tool to improve access industry”—project manager, Reinforcing to knowledge and skills. Providing access to grassland ecological values in the Merri technical specialists and extension staff was Valley, VIC. also an effective method for increasing access to knowledge and skills, particularly for farmers. It was important that these technical experts were familiar with local areas, independent from commercial interests and trusted and respected “About 15-30 farmers have invested in by the relevant communities. Communication new machinery ... there is evidence products were useful for addressing some of the of practice change in the broader barriers to adopting new practices. In many cases, community. technical information was translated into a usable format that could be readily understood by target Farmers connect to other farmers audiences—for example, case studies with real-life more than they do the technical experiences of landholders and farmers. specialists or other parties ... others in the region will listen to them and will model their farm management on those in the region that are doing well”—project manager, Adapting to dry times: farmer-to-farmer learning, NSW. Native grassland regeneration in the Condamine NRM region, Queensland. Source: D. Markovic DSEWPaC Building biodiversity resilience and connectivity in three priority catchments, Queensland
Reef Catchments is responsible for restoring rivers, coastal and marine environments; improving land management; and encouraging shared responsibility of catchments in the Mackay Whitsunday region of central Queensland. Caring for our Country provided funding to deliver a project to restore the condition and CASE STUDY connectivity of the priority O’Connell catchment and engage with the local community. Issues included bank erosion, in-stream habitat loss, water quality decline and barriers to fish passage.
Reef Catchments worked with landholders to plan river restoration activities that met their needs and the water quality objectives of the O’Connell catchment. The proponent spent considerable time on understanding their community and priorities, commencing with a social research survey of land managers. The survey included identification of the barriers and benefits to implementing river restoration, finding that landholders tended to be willing to participate if there was a mixture of private and public benefit, including funding for on-ground works. Reef Catchments used the results from the survey to identify property-scale and ecological priorities.
The proponent utilised specialist expertise by partnering with the Australian Rivers Institute to establish a demonstration site and with the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines on an ecological monitoring program. The demonstration site featured engineered ‘log jam’ structures to stabilise streambanks and change the flow of the river to recreate habitat for fish species. The site was an important tool for conveying how on-farm behaviours and practices can affect catchments. Ecological monitoring examined the effects of the log jams on fish communities, diversity and movement, and the condition of in-stream and riparian habitat.
Engagement and transfer of knowledge to landholders in the O’Connell catchment was successful at increasing participation in river restoration activities. Personal contact with individual landholders allowed the proponent to build up trust within the community and demonstrate their willingness to listen to and accommodate concerns. Reef Catchments will continue to work with landholders in future to support long-term river restoration objectives.
A demonstration site with an engineered log jam. Source: RM Consulting Group Coordinated response to on-ground control of mimosa (Mimosa pigra), Northern Territory
With funding from the Caring for our Country initiative, several groups were brought together to manage mimosa (Mimosa pigra), a Weed of CASE STUDY National Significance, in the coastal floodplain of the Daly and Moyle catchments in the Northern Territory. Participants included pastoral stations, Indigenous ranger groups, Territory NRM, the Northern Land Council and the Northern Territory Government. A key feature of the project was the coordinated approach to weed control by various land managers.
Mimosa infests around 16 500 hectares of the targeted area and threatens the habitat Mimosa. Source: C.G. Wilson, DSEWPaC Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement of waterbirds and 10 threatened species, including the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus). Through this project, land managers within the catchments gained new knowledge and skills to manage mimosa by participating in on-ground activities and training courses. Collaborative activities reduced the impact of mimosa by controlling outlier infestations, strengthening containment lines and controlling core infestations to prevent further spread of the weed.
In addition to positive biophysical outcomes, the project successfully built the capacity of land managers to manage mimosa in future by “The project has been bringing them together and equipping them with new knowledge and successful in reducing the skills. Land managers have already independently coordinated control scale of the problem to activities such as aerial spraying. Caring for our Country funding the point where the land assisted with employing a dedicated project coordinator within managers can see that Territory NRM who facilitated the participation of project partners. control is manageable, Despite the huge geographical scale of the project area, limitations in and not overwhelming”— communication and the difficulties associated with the wet season, the project manager. project has made great advances in reducing the impact of mimosa and building land manager capacity to control it in future.
A number of projects offered formal education Projects were most successful when proponents opportunities to increase knowledge and skills had the appropriate level of skills and experience to in managing natural resources sustainably. run effective engagement campaigns and relate to target audiences. In cases where these skills were sourced externally, it was essential that the source was These opportunities could also assist with developing respected and trusted by local communities. professional skills for future employment: in many cases, professional development helped individuals to find paid work. Partnerships were an effective approach for increasing access to knowledge and skills by injecting additional knowledge, experience and resources into Caring for our Country projects. Partnerships facilitated the transfer of skills and knowledge between community groups, government agencies, Indigenous communities and non-government organisations.
13 Mawonga Indigenous Protected Area consultation project, New South Wales
Caring for our Country aimed to expand Australia’s National Reserve System, including Indigenous Protected Areas, through partnerships with other organisations. CASE STUDY In 2010–11, Caring for our Country funding of $948 039 (GST exclusive) was used to facilitate an innovative partnership which not only helped expand the National Reserve System but also generates significant environmental, socio-economic and cultural benefits for the Winangakirri Indigenous people. The Indigenous Land Corporation worked with the Winangakirri Aboriginal Corporation to jointly fund the purchase of Mawonga Station in central New South Malleefowl. Source: Wells, Babs and Bert (CALM) Wales with the aim of returning formal ownership and management of the land for conservation to the community. “We have used technology to resonate with school-aged children. The A key focus of the Mawonga project is protecting habitat for website and app are stimulating, the nationally listed vulnerable malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) interactive and exciting. and areas of important habitat for other threatened species. Caring for our Country funding is also supporting a two-year [The experts’] passion and consultation project to facilitate the declaration of Mawonga enthusiasm rubbed off on the kids as an Indigenous Protected Area. Additional funding and and the experts were able to transfer support for ongoing land management has been contributed their knowledge to the students in a by the non-government organisations Bush Heritage way that they could understand”— Australia and the NSW Nature Conservation Trust. project manager. The Winangakirri Aboriginal Corporation are working closely with neighboring pastoralists and land managers to identify and manage potential threats across the landscape and across different land tenures. Using this experience, the proponent is also developing a practical conservation land management course that is tailored to the needs of Indigenous communities. The organisation aims to train 10 individuals over the next two years and is hoping to offer ongoing land management training and multi-site delivery options in partnership with New South Wales agencies in future.
QLD
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Mawonga Indigenous Protected Area
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Location of Mawonga Indigenous Protected Area. Source ERIN, DSEWPaC community skills, knowledge and engagement
Greg and Matthew Johnson’s property near Yeoval, NSW is part of the Environmental Stewardship Program to protect box gum grassy woodland. Source: A. Tatnell, DSEWPaC
15 Outcome 2
Increase the engagement and participation rates of urban and regional communities in The engagement and participation rates of urban activities to manage natural resources and and regional communities were increased by: to help protect the environment. »» establishing networks and partnerships Community participation and engagement rates »» building knowledge and skills were particularly targeted through Community Action »» providing incentives Grants and regional base-level funding allocated »» establishing new community NRM groups to regional NRM organisations. Community Action Grants provided small grants to community groups »» expanding and diversifying existing NRM to undertake projects with a focus on protecting and groups improving local natural resources and environmental »» implementing on-ground works. assets. Groups that received a Community Action Grant were required to address the community skills, Some of the achievements for increasing the knowledge and engagement national priority area and engagement and participation rates of urban at least one other priority area from biodiversity and and regional communities in NRM included the natural icons, coastal environments and critical aquatic following: habitats, and sustainable farm practices. This direct »» Agreements with private land managers funding increased the participation of Indigenous, urban were established through the Environmental and regional communities in environmental protection. Stewardship Program to manage threatened Community Action Grants have funded 1530 projects ecological communities, including box to a value of $26.6 million (GST exclusive), which were gum grassy woodlands, weeping myall delivered by 1293 community groups and engaged woodlands, peppermint box grassy over 100 000 volunteers across Australia between woodlands and iron-grass natural temperate July 2009 and June 2012. $711 million was provided grasslands. through regional base-level funding from 2008 to 2013. Following the allocation of a Community Action Grant, »» The threats posed by cane toads (Bufo Monarto Zoo in South Australia experienced a sustained marinus) were reduced through community increase in the number of volunteers and commitment engagement projects, resulting in community of volunteer time. The volunteering program increased volunteer action days, the removal of cane from five volunteers contributing two to three hours per toads in north-west Australia and increased week to between 11 and 15 volunteers contributing early detection in northern Australia. up to one day per week. In addition, greater numbers »» A large amount of land was baited as part of school groups now come regularly to the zoo and of the Tasmanian Fox Eradication Program, participate in on-ground works. Increasing engagement involving many property owners. and participation rates was a component of broader »» Farmers undertook activities to improve long-term visions for most groups involved in Caring environmental assets and increase native for our Country. vegetation condition and connectivity, such as through the Environmental Stewardship Program. »» Land managers participated in activities to increase the adoption of sustainable land management practices in northern and remote Australia, including managing pest animals and weeds, adjusting seasonal stocking rates to reduce soil erosion and improving horticultural practices. »» 404 projects assisted around 47 000 farmers to adopt more sustainable farm management practices to reduce the risk of soil acidification and erosion and increase the The threats posed by cane toads (Bufo marinus) were reduced through community engagement projects. carbon content of soils. Source: D. McRae Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement
Angus and Lucy Maurice’s property near Wellington NSW. Box gum grassy woodland funded through Environmental Stewardship Program. Source: A. Tatnell, DSEWPaC
Establishing networks and partnerships provided access points for engaging new audiences, as different organisations appeal to different people. Partnerships fostered increased participation rates through a diversity of activities and offering more coordinated approaches with consistent advice. Strong relationships were developed between the Merri Creek Management Committee and the Indigenous Wurundjeri people in a project to rehabilitate native grasslands in the Merri Valley in Victoria. Paid staff and facilitators played an essential role in developing and maintaining networks and partnerships. Successful partnerships tended to clearly articulate roles and responsibilities and share knowledge. The feral camel management project in northern and remote Australia assisted stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of feral camel impacts and preferred management options. Another project led by World Farmers learning about the structural properties of their Wildlife Fund (WWF) brought together many technical soils. Source: North-East Catchment Management Authority experts and organisations to develop a biodiversity conservation framework for the high conservation area of the Southwest Australia Ecoregion. It took time and effort to establish strong relationships and compromises were often required. For example, partners compromised by installing environmentally friendly dams for watering stock in the Communities in Landscapes box-gum woodlands project in New South Wales.
17 Taroona foreshore native plant trial podcast and walkabout series, Tasmania
With support from a Caring for our Country Community Action Grant, the Taroona Environment Network delivered a project to educate local school students and the broader community about the environmental values of the Taroona foreshore in Hobart, Tasmania. CASE STUDY
The coastal foreshore of Taroona provides critical habitat for several threatened species, including the vulnerable eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii gunnii), endangered forty-spotted pardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus) and the endangered swift parrot (Lathamus discolor).
In this project, the proponent developed information products to raise awareness such as a native plant trail podcast, a smartphone application and an education ‘walkabout’ which included interpretive signage to display and communicate the natural features of the coast. All of these products were developed by the local community and school students in cooperation with relevant experts.
The project primarily engaged primary and secondary school students, local experts such as marine biologists, botanists and historians, an Indigenous representative and the local council and Landcare group. The experts worked with school groups to ensure that the information products were accurate. For instance, students were involved in editing the digital media.
Keeping the project within the community built greater awareness of the Taroona environment and fostered a greater sense of ownership and excitement in protecting the coastline. Learnings from this project have also been the catalyst for developing three other trail podcasts around Hobart.
Building knowledge and skills of urban and regional activities such as revegetation, development of seed communities was central to achieving increased banks, and construction and installation of nesting participation in many Caring for our Country projects. boxes for woodland birds. The project also promoted Raising awareness and knowledge of the significance Threatened Species Day to many children from of local assets, and building skills to manage different schools. threatening processes to these assets, generated increased community participation in the initiative. The ability to address complex NRM issues over broad “One of the more successful aspects areas is strongly dependent on communities having of the Caring for our Coast program appropriate skills and knowledge. Through the Caring was the NSW Coastal Volunteers for our Country initiative, knowledge and skills were Forum. The forum allowed coastal built in various ways, including formal and informal communities to share knowledge, educational opportunities such as forums, training, experiences and achievements”— workshops, field days, working bees, social events, project manager, Caring for our Coast, mentoring and general communication. A range of NSW. organisations facilitated these activities, including education institutions, government agencies, non-government organisations, community groups, schools and individuals. Participating in events and “The social side of Landcare is often projects had unintended social outcomes in that it forgotten or unmeasured. However, enhanced connectivity within communities. In the having an environmental activity to do Communities in Landscapes project mentioned gives communities a chance to get above, several awareness-raising events were held together, share hope in often trying and six cross-property conservation planning groups times and work towards a common were formed. Training, workshops, demonstration goal. This is the social ‘glue’ that helps properties and field days attracted landholders and keep communities going after drought, land managers, while small grants engaged individuals, flood, fire or other challenges”— community groups and local councils to deliver Regional Landcare Facilitator. Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement
Looking at vegetation, soil carbon day, North East Catchment Management Authority. Source: North-East Catchment Management Authority
19 A strategic framework for biodiversity conservation, Western Australia
WWF Australia received funding from Caring for our Country to deliver a strategic framework for conserving biodiversity in the Southwest Australia Ecoregion in Western Australia. The project involved engagement with local stakeholders and technical experts, and promotion of the framework to raise awareness of CASE STUDY environmental values and threats within the region, aiming to shift the focus from research to on-ground action. WWF engaged with over 100 experts and 58 different organisations.
The south-west corner of Western Australia is internationally recognised as a biodiversity hotspot and has a high number of endemic native species. In consultation, WWF developed an overarching planning framework to share knowledge and information about the region to focus on actions needed on the ground. The framework covers nearly 700 000 square kilometres and was presented at a touring ‘roadshow’ to increase general awareness of the region and the framework. In the process of developing the framework, WWF acted as a broker to share information between the many organisations and individuals that research and manage the region. The framework focused on objectives and practical actions rather than raw data.
The project has resulted in dramatic improvements in the level of cooperation between stakeholders in the south-west region of Australia. This network continues to operate even after the delivery of the framework. A major legacy is that much data and information is now freely available to share and is being used by many groups and organisations to support their own planning and on-ground work. The profile of the region has also been raised and it has been prioritised as a critical area for investment in the next phase of Caring for our Country.
Western Australia, Fitzgerald River National Park, Mt Barron part of the strategic framework for biodiversity conservation. Source: Southwest Australia Ecoregion continued over “The network created through CONTINUED CASE STUDY the preparation of this strategic framework is continuing to operate today”—project manager.
Western Australia, Fitzgerald River National Park, part of the strategic framework for biodiversity conservation. Source: Southwest Australia Ecoregion Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement
Strategic framework for biodiversity conservation, Strategic framework for biodiversity conservation Abrolhos Islands off Geraldton. Source: D. Markovic, DSEWPaC proteas in West Perth. Source: N. Bryden, DSEWPaC
21 Moreton Bay, Queensland. Source: D. Monaghan Moreton Bay oil spill environmental restoration program, Queensland
In response to a damaging oil spill in the Ramsar site of Moreton Bay in 2009, Caring for our Country allocated $2 million to rehabilitate coastal areas after the initial emergency clean-up response. South East Queensland Catchments coordinated a range of community-driven environmental projects which were CASE STUDY delivered by partners. The project involved many participants and volunteers and attracted additional in-kind contributions. It increased the capacity of several community groups, with volunteers undertaking the majority of restoration activities such as dune stabilisation with protective fencing, erosion control, revegetation and environmental monitoring of water quality, shorebirds and frogs.
Moreton Bay has extensive mangrove and tidal flats which support a rich diversity of fish, crustaceans and migratory and wading birds. Many of these species are nationally and internationally protected. Seagrass beds also provide food and habitat for fish, crustaceans and protected species such as the dugong (Dugong dugon), the nationally endangered loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), the vulnerable hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) and the vulnerable green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Furthermore, the site contains Indigenous cultural heritage and has evidence of past fishing and Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement food-gathering practices. As a result of the Caring for our Country investments, thousands of plants were propagated and planted, existing vegetation was rehabilitated, protective dune fencing was installed, thousands of birds were identified and extensive areas of land were subjected to pest animal control.
Morton Bay, dugong feeding on sea grass. Source: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, DSEWPaC continued over
23 The rehabilitation efforts after the oil spill transferred “There has been an increase in knowledge and skills in data management, cultural capacity of community groups heritage, bird and frog identification and reef to undertake on-ground works monitoring. Training workshops were held to provide and environmental monitoring— knowledge on caring for coastal ecosystems. knowledge has been increased This training equipped volunteers with greater capacity and the amount of people with to care for coastal ecosystems. Traditional Owner an interest in conservation has Elders were also engaged to record historical and increased as a result of the project. cultural ecological knowledge. A knowledge collection and storage protocol was developed, with less Existing groups were able to solicit sensitive knowledge added to a community-based new members as well as engage CONTINUED CASE STUDY database and culturally sensitive knowledge being one-off volunteers. retained by Traditional Owners. Information will be used If you want to reach a broad range to better inform coastal management planning and of people you need to give them conservation. The database will prevent information options; not everyone can do the from being lost as people leave the area or retire. hard yakka stuff”—program manager.
Moreton Bay. Source: J. Houldsworth, DSEWPaC Economic or social incentives also generated increased Community-based groups were able to mobilise engagement and participation in environmental volunteers and engage new volunteers where required. activities. Economic incentives could take the form Caring for our Country supported existing groups of grants, subsidies, stewardship payments or to expand their social engagement to reach new competitive tenders, while social incentives could be audiences and diversify their activities to address new recognition, training or social networking activities. and emerging environmental threats. New audiences Where appropriate, incentives encouraged innovation included schools, Indigenous communities and or assisted landholders to adopt practices that may urban residents. Expanding the engagement boosted otherwise have been economically infeasible. existing capacity to deliver NRM. A culture of peer Economic incentives were generally most effective mentoring developed in many communities, with more when combined with other approaches, including experienced community members or farmers offering social incentives and building knowledge or skills. information and support to others. In 2011, Caring Another strategy for increasing participation in activities for our Country supported the third Mungo Youth was the establishment of new voluntary community- Conference, a forum to engage schoolchildren and based NRM groups. It was important that these educate them about the Willandra Lakes Region World groups were self-directed and had strong community Heritage Area in south-western New South Wales. ownership. These groups provided a non-threatening The region has rich history, with evidence of significant and local forum for community members and environmental change and Indigenous habitation distributed information, skills, technical expertise and dating back around 42 000 years. A diverse audience, financial support to target issues of shared importance. including Indigenous and non-Indigenous students from Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement For example, two new Coastcare groups were formed schools in Victoria and New South Wales, attended the through one project in the Eyre Peninsula to protect conference. Students were connected with Traditional shorebirds. The Aboriginal Women’s Network was Owners, Elders, scientists, parks staff and pastoralists established in New South Wales in 2008 with seed to learn about culture and conservation in practical funding support from Caring for our Country. ways and to then present their new knowledge at the It is a community-based group which aims to conference. The conference was a powerful model for increase the participation of Indigenous women in engaging students with Australia’s natural heritage. natural resource and cultural heritage management activities and leadership roles. The network runs a Caring for our Country projects provided opportunities biennial conference to strengthen relationships in for individuals to get involved in delivering on- relevant fields, raise awareness and transfer natural ground works, a practical element that encouraged resource and cultural knowledge. The Aboriginal participation. The physical and practical nature of these Women’s Network also established an online works provided an immediate sense of contribution networking site, mentoring program and improved the and involvement. The social element also enabled engagement of Indigenous women by the Australian participants to build new networks and facilitated the Government’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. transfer of knowledge and skills. Community groups and regional NRM organisations often offered these opportunities to participate in on-ground works—for example, with the Tasmanian Landcaring Grants “The Sustainable Farming Groups are program. Recognition of volunteers and community based on sub-catchment areas and organisations was essential for maintaining ongoing meet on a quarterly basis to discuss enthusiasm and participation, acknowledging the value and learn about topics of interest of their contributions and celebrating achievements. such as native seed collection or tree Recognition could also take the form of references planting. They are relatively small to prospective employers and providing professional groups (10–15 farmers) and have a development opportunities. strong social element, focused on farmers sharing experiences and learning from each other”—project manager, Water quality improvements in the Great Lakes, NSW.
25 Volunteers protecting endangered shorebirds, New South Wales A Caring for our Country Community Action Grant supported “We have seen a vast volunteers in the Mates of the Manning community group improvement in the to manage threats and monitor endangered shore-nesting behaviour of people around birds near Taree in New South Wales, including the nationally the shore-birds sites as a CASE STUDY protected little tern (Sterna albifrons). Little terns are migratory result of the educational species that fly all the way from Japan to breed in Australia activities. People are aware over summer and are protected under international migratory of the little tern habitat species agreements. and behave appropriately around the sites now. Mates of the Manning facilitated a vast improvement in community behaviour around nesting sites and increased the We have fledged [the stage stability of the little tern colony. Without funding and dedicated when birds are sufficiently volunteers, the protection and monitoring of the birds would developed for flight] more not be possible. The New South Wales National Parks and birds than anyone else in Wildlife Service has recognised the efforts of volunteers NSW. We average 100, but by offering training and networking events to ensure they it can get up to 200. The are skilled and continue to be engaged in conducting this colony size is now stable”— important work. community volunteers.
“A thank-you event was held at the end of the project and everyone was invited. Volunteers give up their time to do this work and it’s very important to recognise and be respectful of that and part of that process is thanking people properly”—program manager, Moreton Bay oil spill environmental restoration program, QLD. Jigalong Rangers near Durba Hills. Source: Kanyirninipa Jukurrpa Tasmanian Landcaring Grants program, Tasmania
Landcare Tasmania partnered with Wildcare Inc to deliver a program in Tasmania between 2009 and 2012 to increase community engagement and participation CASE STUDY by engaging community groups and individuals to deliver a wide variety of small-scale environmental projects on private and public land. The proponents received $906 768 from Caring for our Country, providing funding to over 200 volunteers and 122 landholders to improve their knowledge and skills and conduct work on improving native habitat, particularly weed management. Groups that were Serrated tussock. Source: J. Baker, DSEWPaC involved in project delivery became part of the network led by the proponents. Projects ranged from weed “The main legacy of the Tasmanian control in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Landcaring Grants program is the Area, coastal education initiatives on King Island, reinvigorated network of community- feral cat management in the Tamar Valley, tussock based NRM groups across Tasmania” control in priority areas and the construction of an —project manager. enclosure for rehabilitation of raptors. The proponents used their existing networks effectively to generate interest from groups across the state. Facilitators worked with groups to identify opportunities and develop their projects more efficiently— for example, by assisting groups to access other funding programs or in-kind support if the projects did not match the priorities of the grants program. Grants were also used to leverage additional funding or investments of time and effort by local communities. For example, the Pipe Clay Coastcare group received a grant to manage the Weed of National Significance, serrated tussock (Nassella trichotama), which was instrumental in extending their work on controlling blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) and boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) in a nearby foreshore area. A project led by Tamar NRM received funding to engage the local community to deliver a feral cat management program within the Georgetown area on the north-east coast of Tasmania. Community members directly participated in monitoring traps: releasing any native species that were unintentionally captured and advising Tamar NRM when a feral cat was trapped to allow humane destruction. This direct participation helped communities to view some of the native species that were being protected and learn about the extent of the feral cat problem. There is still strong local support for the project and growing community-led pressure for responsible cat ownership. The model of community engagement is even being adopted in other communities. The demands of running a large and complex program helped Landcare Tasmania and Wildcare Inc to enhance their internal capacity by developing skills in program management and strengthening relationships with community groups. A technical and scientific committee oversaw the grant applications process to balance technical rigour with increasing community engagement and participation. The one-on-one engagement offered by facilitators was critical to quality of projects and ensured that community participation was a strong focus. The strengthened capacity of the proponents and community groups has positioned them well for delivering future NRM programs. Establishing a sub-population of native purple coral pea in the Pontos Hills, southern Tasmania. Source: RM Consulting Group Local Indigenous solutions for a global problem—ghost nets, Northern Territory and Queensland
Caring for our Country invested in an already successful program run by an alliance of Indigenous CASE STUDY communities to remove marine debris from the coastline of northern Australia. The region contains high- value ecosystems that are threatened by lost, abandoned or discarded fishing nets, otherwise known as ‘ghost nets’. Ghost nets can cause the death of protected marine species such as turtles, dugongs and dolphins as well as damage important habitat for other migratory species.
The GhostNets Australia program is managed by the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group and has resulted in the removal of thousands of ghost nets by Indigenous rangers from coastline in northern Australia. Caring for our Country funding assisted with training Indigenous rangers to undertake this retrieval and conduct monitoring. Volunteer groups were also engaged to help remove debris. A partnership with the CSIRO allowed GPS mapping of the location of existing nets, sites that had been cleared and indications of where there were likely to be future problems. Furthermore, the proponent collaborated with international stakeholders in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to reduce the source of some of the nets. Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement
The ranger program transferred cultural knowledge between clans “We have cleaned up decades and the broader community. Funding also supported increased of accumulated rubbish and engagement with Indigenous women and children, primarily debris in about 70 per cent through an arts program which hosted highly successful workshops of the Gulf region”—project and art exhibitions featuring the marine debris. manager.
Coastal clean-up at Anindilyawka IPA, Northern Territory Source: WWF Australia, DSEWPaC
29 “A Sculpture by the Sea exhibition was held in Bondi, Sydney, displaying individuals’ works from the project ... it went over three days and included workshops with the public and was attended by over 300 people ... it provided fantastic cultural exchange between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people”—project manager.
A dead turtle in a ghost net at Anindilyakwa Indigenous Protected Area, Northern Territory. Source: S. Strike, DSEWPaC Outcome 3 Regional organisations play a lead role in developing regional plans for catchments and natural resources Position all regional natural resource that incorporate community priorities. Caring for our management organisations to deliver Country is widely viewed as assisting with developing best-practice landscape conservation organisational capability in regional planning, and sustainable land use planning to including engaging with stakeholders over long periods communities and land managers of time, establishing agreed objectives and targets within their regions. and developing coordinated management responses. Strong engagement processes helped capture local Caring for our Country worked in partnership knowledge in plans and built community ownership with Australia’s 54 regional NRM organisations to and participation in catchment management programs. deliver integrated projects at the regional level. The development of partnerships has made it easier These regional organisations were provided with to manage different stakeholder expectations about annual base-level funding until June 2013, enabling complex environmental issues. Regional planning certainty and continuity in planning for the future processes are increasingly shifting to community- and boosting the capacity of communities to deliver based approaches in recognition of the need to environmental activities. With base-level funding, include community aspirations in NRM and to directly regional bodies provided support and access to engage local people in activities. NRM is dependent knowledge and skills for their local communities and on volunteers to deliver actions, especially in vast acted as advocates for the broader Caring for our landscapes across Australia. Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement Country initiative. These bodies partnered with a range of community groups and local and state Community engagement and development of governments to deliver region-wide outcomes. partnerships underpins much of the work of regional A review of regional NRM organisations and over NRM organisations. Relationship building helps 500 stakeholder bodies found that, through support enhance regional capacity to deliver activities, facilitates from Caring for our Country, these organisations have collaborative planning processes and enables the built strong relationships with stakeholders, provided most efficient and effective delivery of objectives by leadership and are often the key source of information coordinating collective efforts, sharing knowledge and for NRM. The review also found that the organisations leveraging resources. These regional bodies play an are well positioned to lead regional planning processes important role in harnessing and propelling community in cooperation with communities and land managers engagement in issues of common concern. In many in their regions. Improved land use planning will assist cases, there is no other appropriate organisation to with delivering best-practice landscape conservation. fulfil this coordination role. Coordination of multiple In order to gauge the roles of regional NRM stakeholders in conservation projects can be essential organisations, RM Consulting Group conducted to the success of projects, particularly when there four site visits and received responses to an online are diverse interests such as government agencies, survey from 14 regional bodies. farmers, public land managers, community groups and Indigenous communities. The continuity of investment from Caring for our Country regional base-level funding has allowed organisations to execute coordination Multi-year base-level funding to NRM roles much more effectively. In the survey conducted organisations encouraged increased by RM Consulting Group, regional bodies reported capability in: that partnerships have strengthened the capacity of community groups in project design, project »» regional planning management, and monitoring and reporting. »» community engagement and partnerships This enhanced capacity is leading to higher-quality »» program delivery. projects and more effective delivery.
31 Chilean needlegrass in Port Phillip and Western Port NRM region. Chilean needle grass is a highly invasive Regional NRM organisations are involved in weed and has a serious impact on agricultural and native ecosystems. Source: J. Baker, DSEWPaC both leading and working with partners to deliver programs and projects. Caring for our Country investments have supported many large-scale projects which have demanded a high level of project management and engagement with numerous stakeholders. Regional organisations have strengthened their capacity in these areas with the support of continuous annual funding assistance, creating a strong foundation for any future investments. Successful program and project delivery was characterised by tailoring to the needs of target audiences, utilising best management practices, having access to relevant technical expertise and being well managed in accordance with project management and monitoring, evaluation and reporting frameworks. Many organisations are increasingly using social science tools to capture information about their target audiences in order to design projects appropriately for their audiences. Developing collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve landscape-scale change in the Port Phillip and Western Port region, Victoria CASE STUDY
The Port Phillip and Western Port region of Victoria contains productive farmlands and diverse natural ecosystems. Western Port is a Ramsar wetland which supports threatened plant species such as the vulnerable dense leek-orchid (Prasophyllum spicatum) and protected birdlife such as the fairy tern (Sterna nereis) and critically endangered orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster). The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority received Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement regional base-level funding from Caring for our Country to deliver integrated projects across the region. The agency is responsible for preparing and implementing a Regional Catchment Strategy. It played a central coordination role, uniting multiple stakeholders at a landscape scale and developing highly valued project management skills: the agency has coordinated six major environmental projects in the last three Port Phillip Grow West case study, fairy tern. Source: B. Furby, DSEWPaC years on behalf of a range of other groups.
One major project administered by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority is the Grow West initiative, which aims to rehabilitate 10 000 hectares of land through revegetation, protecting remnant vegetation and comprehensive pest animal and weed control. These works will assist with improving the stability of land by reducing salinity, erosion, and sedimentation; increasing habitat for native flora and fauna; increasing vegetation connectivity; and improving the condition of waterways. The continuous support offered by the proponent has helped to develop the capacity of community groups to deliver on-ground actions. Secure funding from Caring for our Country was important due to the fluctuating nature of corporate support.
The organisation has learnt several lessons through their experiences, including the importance of choosing projects that will appeal to partners and generate enthusiasm to become actively involved, and avoiding duplicating the roles provided by other partners. Multi-year funding has allowed the Catchment Management Authority greater flexibility to adapt projects over time, which has resulted in overall better outcomes. The organisation offers governance and project management advice and works to build the capacity of other groups across the catchment—for example, by adapting the Grow West model to suit other biolink projects.
Orange bellied parrot. Source: D. Watts, DSEWPaC
33 Grow West Community Planting Day, Lindorff Family. Source: S. Thuan, Port Phillip and Westernport CMA South East Queensland Catchments—a community partnership, Queensland
South East Queensland Catchments is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation which helps to build a sustainable community that cares for the natural resources and biodiversity of South East Queensland. Caring for our Country supported the organisation with regional base-level funding to deliver integrated CASE STUDY projects in the region. A core activity of the organisation is to engage with an extensive network “One in seven of around 250 partners, Australians lives in including Landcare, South East Queensland. industry, catchment If we can change and community groups, their views on natural research organisations, resource management, Traditional Owners and it will benefit the whole individual landholders. of Australia”—CEO of Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement Their approach is strongly South East Queensland focused on working with Catchments. communities to develop capacity to manage natural resources. With funding from Caring for our Country, South East Queensland Catchments successfully led the community-based Moreton Bay wetlands. Source: J. Mollison, DSEWPaC environmental restoration program after the oil spill in Moreton Bay. This coordination demonstrated the strength of their community and organisational partnerships, which were effectively mobilised in a timely manner to protect the important environmental values of the Moreton Bay Ramsar site. South East Queensland Catchments engages with partners at the strategic level through a Members Association and at the operational level through Community Partnerships Managers. These forums are central for building and maintaining strong links with relevant stakeholders and communities. The Members Association is composed of various member organisations and provides strategic advice from a community perspective and harnesses local community involvement in projects. A network of eight Community Partnerships Managers is central for building and maintaining strong links with communities. These engagement staff all live within their communities and converse with local members and landholders on a daily basis, offering a central access point for advice and information, supporting collaboration, and conducting monitoring and evaluation of on-ground activities. Stakeholder surveys demonstrate a high level of support for Community Partnership Managers. Caring for our Country regional base-level funding was fundamental in enabling the organisation to maintain a network of Community Partnerships Managers, coordinate regular programs across the region and build community capacity in NRM. With secure funding over an extended period, South East Queensland Catchments was able to concentrate on sourcing additional investments. Maintaining a focus on community relationships allowed the organisation to respond quickly and efficiently to emerging environmental issues, capitalise on opportunities as they arose and advocate priorities for their region. Investments from the Caring for our Country initiative assisted regional NRM organisations to build capacity in sustainable land use planning, community engagement and program delivery. This capacity will ultimately enable best-practice landscape conservation and the transfer of knowledge and skills to communities and land managers within regions. Another aspect of capacity-building was the generation of renewed interest and motivation to become involved in activities. Community capacity and active engagement underpins the achievement of long-term environmental outcomes.
35 Outcome 4.
Ensure the continued use, support and reinvigoration of traditional ecological “It has given [Indigenous participants] knowledge to underpin biodiversity the ability to speak with pride. They conservation. were shy to start with ... we can now see the way they carry themselves Traditional ecological knowledge has significant ... the pride is there ... achieving by environmental benefits and harnessing the significant doing is lifting confidence”—project knowledge, skills and responsibilities of Indigenous participants. people was essential for achieving Caring for our Country outcomes for biodiversity. For many Indigenous people, culture and ecology are intertwined and cannot be separated. Over five years of the initiative, Caring The Working on Country program provided funding for our Country exceeded the outcome for ensuring to Indigenous ranger groups to undertake traditional ecological knowledge continues to be environmental activities to achieve Caring for our used, supported and reinvigorated for biodiversity Country objectives, building on traditions of caring conservation. Indigenous participation simultaneously for country. The program provides training and career delivered environmental outcomes as well as having pathways for Indigenous people in land and sea social, cultural and economic benefits. A range of management, and facilitates a partnership approach to activities were undertaken, including mapping cultural deliver environmental outcomes. The program’s target sites and assets, recording traditional ecological to train and employ over 690 rangers in managing knowledge and recording traditional language. and conserving the natural and cultural features of Recording and sharing this knowledge helped facilitate Indigenous lands and waters, including Indigenous intergenerational transfer and broader dissemination Protected Areas, by June 2013 has been met. of knowledge about Australia’s natural resources. The Australian Government has committed to Indigenous groups were also involved in a wider expanding the program to support up to array of NRM activities across national priority areas, 730 Indigenous rangers by June 2015 in recognition particularly as histories of displacement often eroded of the high demand for the positions and multiple knowledge and continuity of culture. Caring for our benefits. Caring for our Country provided funding Country provided a pathway for developing valuable for long-term projects with the aim of supporting partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Indigenous aspirations to care for country, offering groups, promoting sustainable land management nationally accredited training and career pathways practices and preserving and utilising traditional for Indigenous people in land and sea management ecological knowledge. Furthermore, Indigenous and facilitating a partnership approach to deliver participation in the initiative contributed to the environmental outcomes. Training and employment commitment by all Australian governments to opportunities were particularly valued in regional and Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage. remote areas where options are more limited and built capacity for future self-sufficiency beyond the life of the program. Ecological knowledge was incorporated “Traditional ecological knowledge is in several management mechanisms, including an important aspect for managing Indigenous Protected Areas and savannah burning the Australian landscape. Knowledge in northern Australia. exists which would assist in floods, bushfires, drought ... and vegetation and fauna management”—survey “Protecting cultural sites helps response from a project participant. biodiversity. It is not in isolation” —project participant. Supporting the recording of traditional ecological knowledge in the Torres Strait, Queensland
The Torres Strait Islands have a diverse mixture of communities, languages, cultures and traditions. CASE STUDY Caring for our Country funded the Torres Strait Regional Authority to develop a regional database to record traditional ecological knowledge and support the engagement of communities in land and sea management in the Torres Strait. The database builds on a scoping study completed in 2009 and was piloted with the Boigu Island community. The database will include geospatial data on local natural resources and cultural and natural values.
A Project Steering Committee was established to facilitate community engagement and guide the delivery of the project. The database was designed in consultation with the Boigu Rangers, the Boigu Ranger Working Group and a Native Title representative group and includes data custodianship, protocols, intellectual property and a knowledge guardianship kit.
Recording the traditional ecological knowledge will support regional NRM, especially in relation to culturally Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement significant and nationally protected species such as dugongs (Dugong dugon) and turtles. The development and implementation of the database will increase Indigenous participation in biodiversity conservation and assist with maintaining culture, as it will be accessible to the relevant Torres Strait communities.
Traditional canoes in the Torres Strait Islands. Source: J. McDougall, DSEWPaC
37 Working on Country, National
The Australian Government introduced the Working on Country program in May 2007 to fund positions for Indigenous rangers throughout Australia as part of the Closing the Gap initiative. It supports Indigenous aspirations in caring for country and provides opportunities for Indigenous people to deliver environmental services that protect and manage Australia’s environmental and heritage values. Working on Country
projects are led by the local community and are underpinned by community ownership and action. CASE STUDY Traditional Owners and local communities are involved in the design, development, implementation and leadership of projects to ensure they align with the needs and interests of the community and benefit the environment.
Working on Country is supported by the Australian Government as an ongoing program. Working on Country directly contributes to Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage by increasing economic participation, enhancing safe and supportive communities and improving governance and leadership. Following the success of this program, it was expanded to support training and employment for over 690 Indigenous rangers to June 2013, increasing to 730 rangers by June 2015.
Cooked yam, Traditional ecological Knowledge, Aurukun, Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Source: K. Trapnell, DSEWPaC.
Working on Country funding is allocated from the community skills, knowledge and engagement national priority area of Caring for our Country, yet the program also indirectly contributes to other priorities. Indigenous rangers are:
»» managing some of Australia’s important World Heritage areas, including the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Gondwana Rainforests »» sharing traditional ecological knowledge and land management practices »» controlling Weeds of National Significance and feral animals »» protecting and monitoring threatened plant and animal species »» managing fire »» caring for significant wetland areas and marine environments »» protecting important cultural places, including rock art sites, rock holes and historic buildings »» conducting junior ranger programs and back-to-country trips and engaging with schools and communities to share information »» developing partnerships with researchers and non-government and government agencies to strengthen their work. Indigenous Protected Areas Caring for our Country supports the establishment and declaration of Indigenous Protected Areas, the development of cooperative management arrangements for existing areas and consultation projects for potential new areas. Indigenous Protected Areas are land or sea regions in which Traditional Owners have entered into a voluntary agreement with the Australian Government to manage and protect important natural and cultural values. The declared areas make a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation and currently comprise almost 25 per cent of Australia’s National Reserve System. Caring for our Country provided $50 million for Indigenous Protected Areas over five years, including for already declared areas and consultation projects to declare others.
The goals of the Indigenous Protected Areas program are to support: CONTINUED CASE STUDY
»» Indigenous land owners to develop, declare and manage Indigenous Protected Areas on their lands as part of Australia’s National Reserve System »» Indigenous interests to develop cooperative management arrangements with government agencies managing protected areas »» the integration of Indigenous ecological and cultural knowledge with contemporary protected area
management practices. Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement
A range of traditional ecological knowledge activities These factors, and participation itself, had positive were undertaken in Caring for our Country projects. outcomes for individual and community wellbeing Indigenous Land Management Officers were employed through the strengthening of culture, identity and ties by the Australian Government to support Indigenous to the land. Projects included: organisations and groups to access funding and deliver projects. The integration of traditional ecological »» mapping cultural assets and sites such as travel knowledge with the rest of the initiative had several routes, meeting places, story locations and song key private and public benefits. It provided cultural lines affirmation and acknowledgment of the value of such »» recording knowledge through photographs, books, knowledge, preserved the knowledge from being lost, video and digital recordings, electronic databases facilitated cultural dissemination, generated interest and and geo-spatial tracking participation of Indigenous groups in the Caring for our »» recording traditional language such as names Country initiative and allowed Indigenous Australians to for plants and animals access their country. »» bus trips for Elders to access country and cultural camps »» activities for engaging young people in learning “The best things: the mapping, on country preserving history. We found sites »» employment of cultural recording officers to they knew about but didn’t know record and store knowledge where they were. When camping they »» dissemination of knowledge to local Indigenous found paintings. They have enjoyed communities or more broadly—for example, most being out in the bush”—project by speaking at community meetings or stakeholder. presenting papers at conferences.
39 In one project, the Merri Creek Management Committee received funding from Caring for our Country to engage members of the local Indigenous communities to share knowledge about grassland management practices in the Merri Valley, Victoria. The proponent had previously been unable to implement this engagement without appropriate funding. As a result, strong and enduring relationships have developed and it has led to frequent exchanges of ecological management information to protect and enhance significant grassland ecological communities on the fringe of Melbourne. Many Caring for our Country projects facilitated innovative processes to capture and record traditional ecological knowledge and share the outcomes with younger generations of Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people. For example, in the Roper River region of the Northern Territory, Mangarrayi Elders worked with an artist to map their lands with traditional place names, story lines and cultural sites. Three books with compilations of song lines have been compiled to date and a reference library with archival material has been established. One project manager stated, “we wish we had done this years ago—we are losing our Elders ... now there are only two left”.
Roper River, Northern Territory. Source: A. Fox, DSEWPaC “We encourage a family picnic and talk of what they know. The Elders convey what they know across the This understanding helps maintain an ongoing generations. Rituals are no longer commitment to managing feral camels which practiced and bush tucker not used. will facilitate future feral camel management. But what remains is transmitted. We In the Rangelands of Western Australia, successful celebrate what is left rather than what partnerships with Indigenous communities, has been lost”—project stakeholder. Traditional Owners and ranger groups gathered traditional ecological knowledge to inform landscape management such as fire control.
An important legacy of the Caring for our Country One project developed a traditional language map initiative was facilitating the intergenerational transfer and a DVD containing 19 short stories which captured of ecological knowledge which will benefit cultural traditional knowledge. The DVD is part of a broader continuity as well as Australia’s precious natural knowledge project which targeted education for resources. In some projects, Elders accompanied schools, tourists and national boards of Indigenous younger generations onto country to educate about organisations. National Indigenous TV bought a licence culture and the environment. to run the DVD on their network, transferring stories and information to television audiences. Indigenous people were trained in monitoring and managing the impacts of feral camels in northern and remote Australia. Traditional knowledge about cultural sites was combined with new methods such as motion-activated cameras, helping to provide better understanding of animals that are dependent on the water sources. Tjuwanpa Rangers, Northern Territory Indigenous Australians have long sought to have their traditional knowledge valued and land and sea country work recognised as paid employment. The Tjuwanpa Rangers were supported with 15 paid positions under Working on Country and played an important role in biodiversity conservation. The rangers were based at Hermannsburg/Ntaria in the Northern Territory and managed approximately 390 000 hectares across five Aboriginal Land Trusts south-west of Alice Springs. CASE STUDY
The Tjuwanpa Rangers conducted nationally significant environmental research and survey work and commercial land management contracts for the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Service and a number of other clients. The rangers received formal qualifications in conservation and land management, including using cybertracker technology to monitor biodiversity. The information collected is scientifically robust and can have national application.
The rangers engaged in feral animal control and fire and weed management, including:
»» controlling one of the most significant infestations of athel pine (Tamarix aphylla), a Weed of National Significance, in central Australia at the headwaters of the Finke River
»» discovering the largest known population of the endangered Slater’s skink (Egernia slateri slateri) Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement »» extending the range of the endangered marsupial mole (Notoryctes typhlops), locally known as itjari-itjari »» removing prickly pear and buffel grass that were threatening native habitat. In conjunction with their biophysical work, the rangers played an important mentoring role for other Indigenous land management groups in Central Australia, travelling regularly and sharing their extensive skills with others.
Prickly pear near Ntarja. Source: C. G Wilson, DSEWPaC
41 Managing natural and cultural resources across the Central Land Council region, Northern Territory
The Central Land Council in Alice Springs received funding from Caring for our Country to support ranger CASE STUDY groups in delivering environmental outcomes in outlying communities of the region. Recognising the importance of traditional ecological knowledge, the project provided opportunities for the input of Elders in determining priorities, planning and on-ground work. The project emphasised Elders and rangers working together to record traditional ecological knowledge and enhance intergenerational transfer, which was supported in a practical way by including younger generations on trips back to country.
Consultation with Elders informed priorities for the project, including feral animal management, soil, water and vegetation management, and management of visitors. As part of these activities, traditional ecological knowledge provided by Elders was recorded using video, photographs and voice recording. As well as preserving information, this multi-media approach created material for teaching younger generations about managing natural and cultural heritage of their traditional country.
Elders also collaborated with the Central Land Council Fire Officer to conduct burning activities to reduce fuel loads and regenerate important bush food areas; provided guidance to rangers on cleaning out important rock-holes; and worked with rangers and anthropologists to develop Cultural Heritage Management plans.
In the words of a ranger at an Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies conference in Canberra in 2011, “traditional ecological knowledge projects are really good because everyone gets involved. It helps old people to get out on their own country and ... helps the younger kids to build their strength and knowledge of their own country”.
Ladies plan. Source: R. Brittingham Children practising animal tracks. Source: R. Brittingham Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Martu Ranger Program in the Western Desert, Western Australia
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa was funded through Working on Country to support ranger teams to provide natural and cultural heritage management and protection services within the Martu native title area. Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa employed coordinators, a senior cultural advisor, rangers and some casual employees to carry out CASE STUDY project activities such as managing the impact of tourism on the natural and cultural heritage values within the project area, managing fire to prevent high fuel load fires and managing threatened species and weeds.
Given that the Martu native title determination area covers 13.6 million hectares in the remote east Pilbara region, trips back to country were a central component of this project. To ensure these activities were culturally appropriate and that traditional ecological knowledge was utilised, cultural advisors were employed to provide guidance to ranger teams for on-ground environmental activities. To ensure intergenerational transfer of knowledge, Elders were able to speak for particular parts of country and younger people frequently accompanied the rangers to carry out activities. For example, young students travelled onto country to be taught animal tracking skills by Elders.
The project has led to video and sound recordings and written records, as well as on-country mentoring by Elders. As a result, Martu people have developed a store of materials which can be used by future generations to ensure that traditional ecological knowledge is incorporated in future land management practices. Importantly, Elders have also passed on skills and knowledge to younger generations through fieldwork activities.
Arthur Samson and Waka Taylor at Yulpu. Source: Kanyirninipa Jukurrpa Reinvigorating the use of traditional knowledge in the dry tropics, Queensland
Projects funded by Caring for our Country in the Burdekin NRM region involved working with the region’s Traditional Owners to reinvigorate and support the use of traditional ecological knowledge in NRM. The NQ Dry Tropics provided governance and technical support for planning, training and other resources. CASE STUDY
In collaboration with the Manbarra, Nywaigi, Wulgurukaba, Bindal, Juru and Gia Traditional Owner groups, NQ Dry Tropics produced a document to provide direction in sea management: Caring for our Coast Community Resource Book. The document outlines the aspirations of the Traditional Owners for the management of their sea country and information on dreaming stories, paintings and culturally significant sites to be considered in NRM.
A cultural heritage knowledge information system was created in collaboration with the Juru, Jannga and Gudjal peoples, helping to capture and store traditional ecological knowledge for inclusion in the management of natural resources.
On Palm Island, a country-based management plan was created for the Manbarra Traditional Owners. The Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement plan involved sharing and recording traditional ecological knowledge, offering a strategic direction for future partnerships with regional NRM organisations.
Dhimurru Rangers inputting CyberTracker data on a turtle beach patrol. Source: V. Drysdale
45 Invigorating traditional ecological knowledge was an important part of Caring for our Country and was applicable in communities that had limited continuity of culture, where knowledge had been lost or where there were limited opportunities to practice traditional knowledge on country. Indigenous Australians also participated in broader NRM and cultural heritage projects across other bio-physical national priority areas, often featuring a combination of traditional and contemporary knowledge. For example, an Indigenous Ecological Knowledge program delivered by Territory NRM funded several on-ground projects in the Northern Territory which integrated traditional and mainstream environmental activities. Other natural resource projects involving Indigenous people were the management of Indigenous Protected Areas such as Boorabee and the Willows in New South Wales, a major carbon offsetting project at Fish River in the Northern Territory, cane toad abatement projects in northern Australia, and cybertracker monitoring throughout Australia. Many of the bio-physical benefits included improved management of weeds and feral animals, enhanced water quality, protection of waterholes and wetlands, revegetation CyberTracker training Dhimurru Indigenous Protected Area. and enhanced habitat for fauna, soil erosion controls, Source: J. Dermer identification of turtle and dugong feeding grounds, and management of threatened species.
Boorabee and Willows IPA Ranger Aaron Livermore. Source: M. Gant Laganda-emu fruit tree and almond nut, Anjo Peninsula, WA. Source: D. Markovic, DSEWPaC Building upon strong Existing community groups established a baseline capacity within their local communities and have a foundations with community stronger level of knowledge, skills and experience to engagement and continue to pursue long-term goals. It is reasonable to awareness—Phase II Caring expect that these achievements will generate ongoing community and environmental outcomes. Increased for our Country 2013–2018 capacity and maturity has allowed community groups to compete competitively for alternative funding sources, The legacy of Caring for our Country investments which has reduced dependence on funding from has been enhanced capacity and knowledge of the Australian Government. A range of lessons were communities for managing natural resources. learned about community engagement in the first phase Community groups have renewed vision and of Caring for our Country. Given the diversity of projects, momentum from their participation, and ongoing locations, target audiences and issues, there is no ‘one partnerships and networks have been developed. Many size fits all’ approach, and flexibility was required to of the collaborative relationships have persisted even tailor approaches according to community aspirations after the completion of projects and are a valuable and needs. Adaptive management was important to resource for the design and implementation of future accommodate changing circumstances, as there is projects. Land managers are also more confident, often inherent uncertainty in projects involving people capable and empowered. New community groups and the natural environment. Many stakeholders noted have formed and attracted a wider volunteer base. To that the flexibility to adapt projects was a strength of varying degrees, each project documented and shared Caring for our Country. information, approaches and lessons learned. Often this information, including technical monitoring data, A range of responses, from local actions through to was made publicly available for others within the NRM integrated landscape-scale conservation projects with sector. Freely accessible information will help inform a focus on managing entire ecosystems, are needed to better decision making in future. deal with challenging issues. The next phase of Caring for our Country will continue to emphasise community engagement and participation to build skills and knowledge for NRM, focusing on providing information “Caring for our Country has generated and social infrastructure to sustainably manage co-investment opportunities to support local environments. In particular, one of the strategic the delivery of significant outcomes”— objectives of the new Sustainable Environment stream Chair of a regional NRM organisation. is to enhance the capacity of Indigenous communities to conserve and protect natural resources (see table below). Community Environment Grants will be available for local groups to take action to conserve and protect the environment. Funding will also be provided to regional NRM organisations to deliver environmental outcomes. The Sustainable Agriculture stream of Caring for our Country will invest in building the capacity of communities to ensure successful outcomes for sustainable agriculture and healthy, productive landscapes. The Australian Government recognises that community groups and organisations, landholders, and Indigenous people make valuable contributions to the health and resilience of the environment. Overview of the Caring for our Country Sustainable Environment stream Strategic objectives Investment themes
Maintenance of ecosystem services, »» protecting the Great Barrier Reef including ecological and cultural »» conserving and protecting species and ecosystems (Matters of National values, now and into the future Environmental Significance) »» restoring and maintaining urban waterways and coastal environments »» building NRM community skills, knowledge and engagement. Protection of our conservation estate »» building the National Reserve System »» protecting Ramsar sites and values »» protecting World Heritage sites’ outstanding universal value and integrity »» building NRM community skills, knowledge and engagement. Enhanced capacity of Indigenous »» building Indigenous peoples’ capacity for NRM communities to conserve and protect »» building NRM community skills, knowledge and engagement. natural resources Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement
References
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Working on Country: www.environment.gov.au/ Islander Studies (2011). The Benefits Associated indigenous/workingoncountry/projects/index.html. with Caring for Country—Literature Review: Accessed 10 April 2013. www.environment.gov.au/indigenous/workingoncountry/ publications/benefits-cfc.html. WalterTurnbull (2009). Working on Country Evaluation Report: www.environment.gov.au/indigenous/ Allen Consulting Group (2011). Assessment of the workingoncountry/publications/woc-evaluation.html. economic and employment outcomes of the Working on Country program: www.environment.gov.au/indigenous/ Urbis (2013). Evaluation report of indigenous workingoncountry/publications/woc-economics.html. participation in delivering the community skills knowledge and engagement priorities under the caring Coastcare: www.coastcare.com.au/. for our country program. Urbis for DSEWPaC. http://nrmonline.nrm.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. One Place, Many Stories: Our Country: www.nrm.gov.au/resources/publications/ our-country.html.
Inovact Consulting (2011). community skills, knowledge and engagement in Regional Natural Resource Management: National Staff and Stakeholder Survey Report: http://nrmonline.nrm.gov.au/catalog/mql:2645.
Landcare (2013): www.landcareonline.com.au/.
National Native Title Tribunal: www.nntt.gov.au/news- and-communications/media-releases/pages/was_ martu_people_achieve_native_title_re.aspx. Accessed 10 April 2013.
RMCG CSKE (2013). Caring for our Country: Evaluation of community skills, knowledge and engagement Outcomes Review of Key Community and Natural Resource Management Level Achievements. RM Consulting Group for DSEWPaC. http://nrmonline.nrm.gov.au.
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