Indigenous protected area reviews on APY country

Conservation Management has worked with Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) and their Indigenous Protected Area steering committees for the past year – to review existing plans for Walalkara, Apara-Makiri-Punti and Kalka-Pipalyatjara IPAs, and prepare them for the next 10 years.

Traditional Owners from each of the IPAs met on Country in May and November 2022 to talk about the important things for Country (targets) and the problems (threats) that were outlined in the old plans, and what had changed since the IPAs were declared.

People told stories about how Country used to be and the work that used to happen to figure out what they needed to focus on next. It was clear across all the IPAs that younger generations learning about Country and how to take care of Country was most important.

Everyone valued the opportunity to get together and talk about the work and their hopes for their Country and communities and said they are looking forward to getting out on-Country more. People were enthusiastic about discussing the work and their hopes for the future.

Palyo! Thank you, and goodbye for now to APY Land Management and the APY Consultation, Land and Heritage units and to everyone who attended and generously shared their knowledge and hopes.