The Innisfail region now has Mamu indigenous rangers caring for country – and a new water monitoring project that’s exciting both elders and the younger generation.

The first four Mamu rangers are on board.

“This is a good feeling, to be moving forward,’’ senior ranger Francis Joyce says. It’s a simple statement but one that’s loaded with passion – for the land, the animals, Mamu cultural heritage and the Mamu people’s drive to be play a bigger role in the management of land and sea.

The ranger program’s launch follows funding through the Queensland Government’s Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program. Rangers will be looking after cultural heritage sites, monitoring biodiversity, helping with pest plant control, and leading a new water monitoring program among other roles.

Building on water quality monitoring program

The water program, in partnership with Terrain NRM, is building on existing water quality monitoring in the region, combining cultural knowledge, values and concerns with western science.

“We’ll be doing monthly routine water sampling across the Johnstone catchment from its top to end of catchment, testing for things like nutrients, pesticides and suspended solids,’’ Francis says.

“We’ll also be monitoring impacts on the rainforest and ecosystems and looking at cultural indicators that came about through consultation with our Mamu people – things like places where there used to be yabby beds but there aren’t anymore, fish species that have disappeared from certain areas over the years…

“The information will give everyone a snapshot of waterway health and a better understanding to move towards solutions. By working together and building partnerships we can create a more sustainable future.”

The project is funded through the partnership between the Australian Government and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. It has also involved water monitoring training for rangers and several younger traditional custodians through Terrain NRM and the Department of Environment and Science.

Traditional owners are helping landholders to protect important habitats across the Wet Tropics.

Michael Morta, a Ngadjon-jii traditional owner and Terrain’s indigenous partnerships coordinator, said the organisation was introducing traditional owners to landholders involved in revegetation, weed management and habitat protection work – and it was leading to new partnerships.

“We have supported representatives from Mamu, Mandubarra, Ngadjon, Wadjanbarra Yidinji and Girramay groups to meet with public and private landholders,’’ he said. “And there has been good two-way communication and information sharing.”

Kurrimine Beach habitat monitoring, pig-trapping, fire management 

At Kurrimine Beach, Mandaburra Rangers will begin pig-trapping, fire management and cassowary habitat monitoring work on state land where invasive weeds were recently removed. The land, north of Kurrimine’s township, includes extensive cassowary habitat and endangered littoral rainforest.

Mandaburra Ranger James Epong welcomed a partnership with the Department of Resources to continue caring for country.

“This project is of high interest to the Mandubarra traditional owners as it aligns with our caring for country program activities and ranger work plan,’’ he said.

“By Terrain contacting us and inviting us to participate, it shows the commitment to involve traditional owners and their ranger teams.”

Department of Resources Senior Land Manager Russell Jack said working with traditional owners and NRM groups was helping to improve natural resource outcomes.

“We provided fire management training for five Mandaburra Rangers and Mandubarra traditional owners will now monitor these areas and start pig-trapping operations,” Mr Jack said.