New partnerships with traditional owners

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.