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and those we work with are achieving and learning together

First Nation’s team in Canada captures purpose of Healthy Country Planning

First Nation from Canada recently came together with staff from The Nature Conservancy, workshop facilitators, and Conservation Management in Stanley Park, Vancouver.  At the end of the week, teams were asked to write down what they had learnt about Healthy Country Planning.

Marditja Banjima bush plants, foods & medicines

The Marditja Banjima Rangers and Elders have based themselves at the Karijini Eco-Retreat in the Pilbara Region of WA to study local native plants for bush foods and medicinal uses. The Karijini on-country trip was planned by the Marditja Banjima Rangers to gain and share knowledge from their Elders about native plants, food and medicine.  Conservation Management Director, David Whitelaw is currently overseeing the Banjima Country Management team’s implementation of their Banjima Yurlubajagu Strategic Plan.

Bunuba people move toward joint management

Traditional land management practices and the sharing of ecological knowledge will lead the way toward a positive future and better health of country and community. To achieve this, the Bunuba People of the Central West Kimberley and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Parks and Wildlife) with support from the Kimberley Land Council and Conservation Management, worked together in 2016 towards both a Joint Management Agreement (JMA) and Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). Conservation Management helped facilitate the process, working with all parties including Bush Heritage Australia and other regional NGOs to build a partnership platform around Bunuba’s Healthy Country Plan. Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation continues to work with all parties in the development of their healthy country plan, with Conservation Management currently providing communications and design support for the completion of the plan product.

Westernport Priority Zone Plan finalised by Trust for Nature

Trust For Nature, Victoria’s dedicated private land conservation body, have finalised the ‘Westernport Priority Zone Plan.’ This plan, the second in a series of three, is an important part of the Trust for Nature’s strategic planning and on-ground conservation work on the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas and Westernport Bay. This ‘Bays and Islands’ landscape contains approximately 25 000 hectares of inadequately protected native vegetation, most of which is considered threatened and provides important habitat for vulnerable species. The plan was drafted with the help of Conservation Action Planning (CAP) workshops, based on the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, and facilitated by Conservation Management.

People, Policy Reform and Greater Indigenous Involvement - Path to a healthier outback

The Outback represents one of Australia’s best conservation opportunities, as stated in the recently released Outback Paper Series, 'My Country, Our Outback'. The report was produced by Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-profit organization that aims to conserve Australia’s critical natural landscapes. The Paper contributes to the discussion on connecting, supporting and resourcing land managers to create a ‘modern outback.’ The Pew Report highlights the global significance of Australia’s outback in terms of biodiversity, as well as being the ‘living heart’ of Australia. The Outback is one of the few remaining great regions of nature, and covers 70% of the Australian continent. Pew’s 3 Point planning process aims to create a healthy, stronger outback that sustains both people and nature.

Banjima People on ROUTE to protecting country

The Banjima people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia have taken strong steps toward implementing their recently completed Banjima Yurlubajagu Strategic Plan, which will help protect country and connect people to traditional lore. Banjima Country Management has established a Ranger workforce in Tom Price that is focused on building Banjima capacity to be on-country. The program will support the engagement of elders and the transfer of cultural knowledge. Initial focus will be on Banjima Rangers and elders spending time surveying and monitoring important sites to protect Banjima country and culture.Conservation Management’s backbone support services are being provided to help implement the Healthy Country Plan and address Banjima Country Management’s growing operations and governance needs.

People Coming Together for Biodiversity: Victorian Biodiversity Managers’ Network

A new group has been established in Victoria to support people who manage land for biodiversity. The network is run by a team of professionals from within the industry, and aims to bring people together to facilitate knowledge exchange. Key goals are to develop best practice industry standards, and to facilitate workshops and training courses.  Conservation Management ran a session at the recent forum, providing insight into the use of the Open Standards for monitoring.

Arabana people initiate plans for future direction

After recognition of Native Title over their country, and the return of a significant pastoral lease, the Arabana people wanted to develop a plan to guide their next steps. Arabana country is part of the central salt lakes and springs, Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre), region in South Australia. In addition to its deep cultural significance to the Arabana people Kati Thanda has great conservation significance, including as seasonal breeding grounds for water birds. Kutha (water) , significant plants and animals and the maintenance of traditional knowledge, comprise key targets for better health of country.   With support from South Australian Government and The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Management helped the Arabana community to develop a Healthy Country Plan, which encompasses their traditional lands, as well as creating an operational plan for Finniss Springs. The plans have prepared the way for tangible and prioritized outcomes to be delivered on the ground.

Keeping Special Places Special - Learning Workshops

Planning and adaptive management for protected areas using the Open Standards. Registrations are now open for five-day Open Standards / Healthy Country Planning workshops in the;• Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (Monday 26th - Friday 30th June 2017). • Daintree National Park Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (Monday 10th - Friday 14th July 2017). Using a well-proven adult learning approach, this intensive live-in course will give people a good understanding of how these tools can be directly used in their own work.

UMEC Wunambal Gaambera Healthy Country Plan 2010 - 2020

Conservation Management are playing an ongoing role in the success of the Wunambal Gaambera Healthy Country Plan 2010 – 2020. Having been instrumental in development of the plan in 2010, Conservation Management was again working with UMEC (Uunguu Monitoring & Evaluation Committee) in 2015 to carry out an evaluation of the planning process. This is an opportunity to assess the success of the plan, whether it’s working, are target viabilities improving, are threats being reduce etc. This process is critical to the long term success of the plan.