- North Kimberley Fire Abatement Project and WWF-Australia awarded $3.1 million Lotterywest grant
- Groundbreaking project will assess fire impacts on biodiversity
- Funding to support Traditional Owner land management and good biodiversity outcomes in the Kimberley
The Cook Labor Government is supporting enhanced biodiversity monitoring and outcomes through fire practices in the Kimberley through a $3.1 million Lotterywest grant for a three-year project led by North Kimberley Fire Abatement Project (NKFAP) and WWF-Australia.
For more than 20 years, WWF-Australia has collaborated with Traditional Owner groups and ranger teams to help safeguard threatened species and enhance biodiversity.
Lotterywest's support will help North Kimberley Traditional Owner groups and WWF-Australia to develop a groundbreaking approach to assessing fire impacts on biodiversity which will adapt management techniques for the North Kimberley's unique species and habitats.
This refined methodology seeks to integrate cultural metrics and measures, valuing and using traditional ecological knowledge alongside Western scientific techniques.
Together, these approaches will improve fire management practices in cultural land management, supporting species and habitat conservation while further mitigating the impact of wildfires.
Lotterywest's funding will:
- assist North Kimberley Traditional Owner land and sea managers to support economies of scale and enable shared learnings;
- drive innovation across the Kimberley and Western Australia and contribute to methodologies which could support sustainable income to further support cultural land management; and
- support ecosystem protection and threatened species at a 'system' level.
The North Kimberley Fire Abatement Project comprises four Traditional Owner groups: Balanggarra, Dambimangari, Wilinggin and Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporations.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"This Lotterywest support means we can assist World Wide Fund for Nature Australia to not only protect our State's iconic natural wonders, but also work to restore and regenerate it.
"We are proud to play a role in nurturing innovative practices led by a network of established ranger programs."
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"Traditional Owners know how to manage Country in a way nobody else can, which is why our Government is committed to empowering and supporting practices like cultural land management.
"This funding is another example of how we are supporting good environmental outcomes throughout regional Western Australia."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"Understanding the impacts of fire in our region is important. By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific management techniques we are creating a more resilient environment.
"It also empowers Aboriginal rangers supporting cultural land management and sustainable practices that will benefit the Kimberley's environment and communities for years to come."
As stated by WWF-Australia chief regenerative officer Nicole Forrester:
"This project will help to protect the Kimberley's world-renowned ecosystems, and further restore and strengthen Indigenous cultural practices, while forging a new sustainable model for healing Country.
"By elevating traditional ecological practices alongside Western science, we hope it will not only contribute to state and national environmental goals but also serve as a model for similar efforts worldwide, particularly in savanna ecosystems."
As stated by Wilinggin fire manager Luke Russ:
"I have been privileged to be a part of Wilinggin's fire program for nine years now.
"It is a fulfilling role managing fire on Country and helping to empower the Ngarinyin people.
"It is through lots of hard work that our efforts, and those of our NKFAP partners, have made such significant strides towards restoring a managed fire regime to the region."
