Championing Conservation: Ashlyn Skeene

Yirrganydji woman Ashlyn Skeene has recently been awarded an Indigenous bursary from not-for-profit environmental organisation Terrain NRM to help with her studies. This recognition is a testament to her dedication and passion for environmental conservation.

Ashlyn is a Biodiversity Ranger, working with the environmental team at Cairns Airport, and she’s currently studying a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice at TAFE, with aspirations of becoming a project manager in the environmental sector. Her goal is to make a significant impact in her community.

“Growing up as an Indigenous person and being able to connect with nature and the environment as a way of life is what inspired me to pursue a career in conservation,” she says.

The bursary from Terrain NRM will help Ashlyn to achieve both her short-term and long-term career goals.

“I am so grateful that Terrain NRM chose me for this award,’’ she says. “I am more motivated now and ready to make my community proud.”

In 2022, Ashlyn was honoured with the Reef Traditional Owner Youth Champion Award. As a Yirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger, she has contributed to scientific research on blue carbon and its co-benefits, including water quality. She has also participated in seagrass, bird and fish surveys, and leads community volunteers on remote beach clean-ups, taking direct action on plastics.

Indigenous students from across the Wet Tropics region can apply for a grant to help with studies and future employment opportunities in environmental and agricultural fields.

Terrain NRM’s Natural Capital Fund Indigenous Education Bursary Program is open to students doing university or TAFE courses focused on the environment, agriculture, natural resource management, conservation or sustainable development.

Ty’a Dynevor and Kayoko Yamashita received $3000 grants through the fund in recent years.

“I’d gone from working full-time on Thursday Island to being a full-time student as a single parent in Cairns so getting one of these grants meant a lot,’’ Kayoko says.  “I could buy the equipment I needed for my practicals. It felt like it took financial pressures off my shoulders.”

Kayoko is studying Environmental Management and Science at James Cook University.

“Never give up – just go for it”

Another of the university’s students, Ty’a (pictured) is completing a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Zoology and Ecology.

She has this advice for others: “My Dad’s motto was ‘Never give up. Just go for it’. If you are experiencing financial stress and difficulties and you need an extra bit of money to support yourself in your studies, this is a great bursary fund and opportunity for you. I’ve also appreciated how Terrain keeps in touch with me for potential future opportunities, like internships and workshops in the region.”

Terrain NRM’s Natural Capital Fund Chair Pete Faulkner said the bursary program, now in its fifth year, is all about encouraging more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to become future leaders in natural resource management.

Growing up in the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah, Nyoka Hrabinsky never imagined she would one day work in ethnobotany. But her life in the community, and earlier at Kowanyama on Cape York Peninsular, was laying strong foundations.

“We went out a lot on Country, fishing, hunting, camping out. We learnt how to naturally dye leaves and do weaving. And when my family moved back to Yarrabah, we lived out in the bush with no electricity, with gravity-fed water, kerosene lamps… It really influenced me to have a passion for the environment and for cultural knowledge.”

Nyoka has since worked as a national park ranger, established an indigenous-themed café with her husband and become an ethnobotany research assistant – a role that’s inspired her to study environmental science at James Cook University majoring in biodiversity and land management.

Bursaries for three James Cook University students

She recently received an indigenous bursary from not-for-profit environmental organisation Terrain NRM to help with her studies. Nyoka is one of three James Cook University students who’ve received the bursaries, aimed at helping with studies and future employment opportunities in the environmental and agricultural sectors.

“Being a first-year university student can be daunting, especially when it comes to managing expenses. I work a few days a week, but this will be immensely helpful,’’ she says.

Her goal is to become an ethnobotanist in her own right, studying plants, their practical uses over time, traditional knowledge and how it can strengthen western science.

Funds to help with study expenses, work experience…

Two other 2024 Terrain NRM Indigenous Bursary recipients, Chelsea Perry and Tara Ganley, are also studying environmental science at James Cook University. Tara hopes to use bursary funds to take some time off work so she can volunteer as a ranger.

Australia is the only country in the world that doesn’t formally recognise its Indigenous people in the constitution. It’s time to put that right. The Voice referendum at the end of the year is an opportunity to vote for positive change that will move us further along the path towards genuine reconciliation.

Over the past 20 years, Terrain NRM has had the privilege of working collaboratively with Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples groups across the Wet Tropics. We appreciate and recognise the critical role that Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples, and Aboriginal Peoples across the nation, play in caring for and healing country.

For this reason, Terrain NRM supports the Voice to parliament. A strong and empowered First Nation’s culture is an essential foundation for the future health and wellbeing of Country.

Why is the Voice important for solving our environmental challenges?

1. The Voice recognises Traditional Ownership

Rainforest Aboriginal People have been looking after our environment for thousands of years. We all have a role to play – and we believe Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples must play a leading role in caring for Country. Terrain NRM’s support of the Voice affirms our recognition of the Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples as the Traditional Owners of the Wet Tropics.

2. The Voice ensures representation of Indigenous knowledge

The Voice to Parliament is about recognising the value of Indigenous knowledge and wisdom, and enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have a say on policies and legislation that affects them. In the NRM sector we already acknowledge the value of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, gathered over many centuries, and believe it must be incorporated into government policies and programs to ensure they are effective and sustainable.

3. The Voice promotes collaboration and partnership

Terrain NRM’s ethos is to ‘solve our environmental challenges – together’. Our impact is amplified when we work in partnership with others, embrace diverse perspectives and respect each other’s cultural differences.

4. The Voice commits to reconciliation

Environmental, social and economic issues are intertwined. People with less social, economic and political capital are more likely to suffer the consequences of a degraded environment. Respecting the rights, cultures and aspirations of First Nations people and committing to reconciliation will also positively impact on our environment.

Plans for a new Indigenous advisory committee will ensure Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples have more say in how the Wet Tropics of Queensland is managed.

The Wet Tropics Management Authority (the Authority), the statutory body established under the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993, and Terrain NRM, a not-for-profit environmental management organisation that is one of Australia’s leading natural resource management bodies, have partnered to form this committee.

The Authority’s Board Chair Chrissy Grant said: “The Authority and Terrain NRM have identified a critical need for a coordinated approach to ensure the rights, interests and priorities of Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples are included in the planning, design and delivery of organisational plans, policies, and programs at a strategic level.”

“The Boards of both organisations have approved a proposal to establish a skills-based committee to advise on the strategic and operational priorities across the Wet Tropics Biocultural Region.”

Indigenous students from across the Wet Tropics region can apply for a grant to help with studies and future employment opportunities in environmental and agricultural fields.

Terrain NRM’s Natural Capital Fund Indigenous Education Bursary Program is open to students doing university or TAFE courses focused on the environment, agriculture, natural resource management, conservation or sustainable development.

Ty’a Dynevor and Kayoko Yamashita received $3000 grants through the fund last year.

“I’d gone from working full-time on Thursday Island to being a full-time student as a single parent in Cairns so getting one of these grants meant a lot,’’ Kayoko says.  “I could buy the equipment I needed for my practicals. It felt like it took financial pressures off my shoulders.”

Kayoko is in her second year of Environmental Management and Science at James Cook University.

“Never give up – just go for it”

Another of the university’s students, Ty’a (pictured) is in her third year of a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Zoology and Ecology.

She has this advice for others: “My Dad’s motto was ‘Never give up. Just go for it’. If you are experiencing financial stress and difficulties and you need an extra bit of money to support yourself in your studies, this is a great bursary fund and opportunity for you. I’ve also appreciated how Terrain keeps in touch with me for potential future opportunities, like internships and workshops in the region.”

Terrain NRM’s Natural Capital Fund Chair Pete Faulkner said the bursary program, now in  third year, is all about encouraging more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to become future leaders in natural resource management.

Tree-planting and weed control work at Mission Beach is protecting endangered coastal rainforest and strengthening Djiru people’s ties with traditional ceremonial land.

Mission Beach’s Clump Point

At Clump Point lookout, Djiru traditional owners have been working with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Girringun rangers to plant thousands of trees on the edge of littoral rainforest where the land has been overrun by guinea grass.

Djiru’s Rona Hart said getting back on Country was grounding.

“This is a special place – for thousands of years our ancestors met with other groups here, held ceremonies, fished, hunted and camped,’’ Mrs Hart said.

“It’s always good to come back. We came as kids and growing up, and now I come with my own kids and grandkids. This new project has been an opportunity for other Djiru people to get back on Country too, through short-term employment, to keep the connection and learn new skills.”

A partnership project

The Clump Point area is a council reserve under an indigenous land use agreement and Mrs Hart plans to continue land management work in collaboration with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and other organisations.

“The young trees are looking beautiful,’’ she said. “But there is always more weed management to do.

“This kind of coordinated effort is really beneficial – it empowers Djiru people to become more involved in environmental issues and it also helps to bring traditional knowledge and cultural practices into shared land management.”

Protecting littoral rainforest

Littoral rainforest is listed as endangered, and Clump Point is the only place in the Wet Tropics where it is growing on volcanic soil.

Indigenous students can be part of a new bursary program in the Wet Tropics region to help with their studies and future employment opportunities.

Terrain NRM has launched the Natural Capital Fund Indigenous Education Bursary Program.

Natural Capital Fund director and Terrain NRM Board’s first ‘Emerging Leader’ Rhiannon Simcocks said the fund wanted to encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to become future leaders in natural resource management.

Students in the fields of natural resource management, environment, sustainable development, agriculture and conservation are eligible for the fund’s $3000 bursaries.

“It’s incredibly important for us to recognise the connection between young indigenous people and Country,’’ Ms Simcocks said. “We are hoping this new program will help to support Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who want to further their studies for careers in natural resource management and advancements in collaborative management of the land and sea.”

Terrain NRM Board member and Djabugay traditional owner Barry Hunter said it was heartening to see more indigenous people caring for Country in the Wet Tropics region, and also guiding cultural land and sea management.

“We are seeing growth in land, fire and cultural heritage management roles,’’ he said. “We are also seeing growth in indigenous-led research. Having more young Aboriginal people engaged in the Wet Tropics region is crucial.”
Ms Simcocks said long-term goals of the program included an alumnus of bursary holders.

“There is a huge amount to be learned from young indigenous people, and from younger voices as a whole,’’ she said. “I was lucky enough to be Terrain NRM Board’s first ‘Emerging Leader’, an opportunity that included a 12-month mentorship program.

The first indigenous research grant has been awarded through a new Wet Tropics partnership, formed to improve land and water management in the Far North.

Skyrail Rainforest Foundation, Terrain NRM’s Natural Capital Fund, the Wet Tropics Management Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have joined forces to create the Wet Tropics Cooperative Research Partnership.

The partnership has awarded a $40,000 grant to CQ University for researchers to work with traditional owners and others in the Atherton Tablelands region.

CQ University Professor of Tourism Bruce Prideaux said the team would establish protocols for a traditional knowledge and science supply database.

“We will be working closely with traditional owners from several groups and with others in the Tablelands community from local government to other land managers, industry and groups like historical societies,’’ he said.

“In this project we’ll be doing the groundwork, learning more about Country and cultural data needs and designing a framework including intellectual property agreements and cultural protocol templates.

“The aim is to combine traditional knowledge and science with western knowledge and science for improved land and sea water management outcomes.”

CQ University’s Joann Schmider, who is a Mamu traditional custodian from the southern Tablelands, said there was a passion to integrate traditional knowledge and practices into management of the Wet Tropics region.

“We sincerely thank each of the funding partners and each of the research partners, and look forward to the exemplary outcomes that these kinds of joint venture approaches can achieve,’’ she said.

They’re female, they’re indigenous and they’re fired-up about caring for country.

An all-women crew of Girringun rangers is leading by example in the Wet Tropics, conducting controlled burns and encouraging teenage girls to step into less-traditional cultural roles.

Girringun Ranger, Cindy-Lou Togo and four other female indigenous rangers were the fire power behind a recent cool burn at Cardwell to reduce fuel loads and improve conditions for endangered mahogany gliders.

“These are mosaic burns that don’t touch the canopy and don’t burn everything,’’ Ms Togo said. “When you return you can see grass trees that are still green, and opportunities for new growth.”

Terrain NRM’s Jacqui Diggins said the cool burn, on seven hectares of unallocated state land, was the second this year in a series of controlled burns for ecological and hazard reduction reasons in an area from the Hull River near Tully to Crystal Creek north of Townsville. They are part of a larger project, funded by the Australian Government, to improve woodlands in mahogany glider country.

The project also supports Girringun Aboriginal Rangers to take a larger role in caring for country through land management and, with Fireland Consultancy’s Justine Douglas as mentor, it provides an opportunity for more female rangers to step into leadership roles.

Ms Togo has been a Girringun Ranger for 10 years, and has loved seeing the number of women increase in the group.

“I always liked being outdoors and I thought this would be something different, when I applied for the role,’’ she said. “Now I have a chainsaw licence, a drone licence, a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management, a coxswain ticket and more. All these tickets I never imagined I’d have…

“We visit schools and correctional centres to show there’s a pathway. We’re learning from our elders on the land, learning from others and passing those learnings on to the younger generation.

“For this burn, Evelyn Ivey was the IC and she did a good job stepping up into that role.”