PEOPLE CARING FOR COUNTRY RANGERS AND INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREA FACTSHEET Karajarri people caring for country

“Karajarri is unique: our country, people, areas have been designated as Wetlands of language and culture. Karajarri carry International Importance under the Ramsar the responsibility to keep country good for Convention and are breeding and feeding our future generations. This is recognised grounds for threatened and migratory from Pukarrikarra (Karajarri Dreaming) water birds. Sea turtle species such as the and in our native title rights. Under our Flat Back, Hawksbill, Loggerhead and law it is our responsibility to look after our Green Turtle use these areas to breed and traditional lands, our country. Our vision lay eggs. Dugongs and Snubfin Dolphin is to look after our country as we have also inhabit the near shore areas. done for thousands of years.’’ The eastern desert country stretches from Karajarri country the coast, inland towards the Great Sandy Desert. Pirra is an arid landscape that is Karajarri Traditional Owners have been sparsely vegetated and comprised of red caring for their biologically rich and desert dunes and species rich wetlands. diverse country for thousands of years. It is home to many rare and nationally Karajarri country is located along the endangered species such as the Gouldian southwest Kimberley Coast from Eighty Finch, Marsupial Mole, Northern Quoll, Mile Beach in the south to Princess Parrot and Greater Bilby. in the north and east into the Great Sandy Desert. It covers more than 30,000 square Karajarri people kilometres of Jurarr - coastal areas and Pirra - inland areas. Karajarri people believe all forms of life and ecological processes, including the The coastal region contains extensive landscape, people, language and customs beaches, tidal creeks and marshes, bays, are connected to Pukarrikarrajangka ± the reefs and sea-grass beds. Some of these Dreamtime. Karajarri country is the source of spirit, incorporates best practice methods using culture and language. Karajarri people a combination of modern science and are born with a binding and unbreakable traditional knowledge. The ranger team responsibility to care for country and it is receives strong community support and where their spirits return when they die. has forged strong partnerships with Kularri Regional Communities Incorporated. Traditionally, they live by the seasons, reading the signs to know when and Karajarri Indigenous Protected Area where they should go to harvest the resources of country. The Karajarri Indigenous Protected Area was declared on May 7, 2014 to manage Karajarri people today live in a modern hotspots and protect some world that is underpinned by their of the Kimberley's most vulnerable and cultural values and traditions. In the face threatened species. of European domination that took their land and affected their lives, the Karajarri The IPA covers 24,797 square kilometres people fought hard to stay on their and includes parts of Frazier Downs country. In 2002, the Karajarri people were pastoral lease and inland areas towards the recognised as having native title rights and Great Sandy Desert. interests across their traditional lands. Having an IPA is the preferred land management model of the Karajarri people Karajarri Rangers as it ensures they are at the forefront of The Karajarri Traditional Lands Association managing their country. teamed up with the Kimberley to start the Karajarri Rangers in Indigenous Protected Areas are an 2006. The ranger group has flourished to initiative of the Australian Government and become a professional and capable land Karajarri Traditional Owners worked with management team. the , the Nature Conservancy and Pew Charitable Trusts to The group undertakes a diverse range develop the Healthy Country Management of activities including weed and feral Plan. The plan sets out the long-term animal management, biodiversity surveys, conservation targets and strategies for the fire management, cultural heritage management of the IPA and includes: site protection, traditional ecological knowledge education and training, • Protecting natural and cultural values visitor management, coastal patrols and including important sites, species and biosecurity work with the Australian their habitats Quarantine Inspection Service. • Continuously strengthening governance The Karajarri Rangers undertake two- • Recording and mapping traditional way learning to enhance their skills and knowledge further their expertise. They work with • Managing and mitigating ecological senior elders to learn about cultural threats heritage, traditional ecological knowledge and language while also receiving formal For more information about the Kimberley qualifications through the Kimberley Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas, Training Institute in conservation and land visit www.klc.org.au/land-sea/kimberley- management. The Karajarri Rangers are ranger-network or contact the Kimberley working with the KLC in the delivery of Land Council on (08) 9194 0100 a regional land management regime that

Karajarri people caring for country www.klc.org.au