Caring for an Ancient Continent. As much of the planet's life systems are lost, we urgently need innovative ways of looking after the iconic landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity of Australia. Contemporary conservation principles, together with Indigenous ecological knowledge and the expertise of Indigenous Traditional Owners are creating new ways for addressing the cluster of environmental issues facing our ancient continent. Indigenous conservation is an exciting part of WildCountry, and one that is generating social, economic and environmental returns.
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| WildCountry and Aboriginal Australia |
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Taking a continental and trans-cultural view of the Australian environment WildCountry is addressing global and continental conservation imperatives and recognising the important relationship between conservation, Aboriginal lands and the rights and responsibilities of Indigenous people. |
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| Indigenous Conservation Strategies |
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Aboriginal land rights, Indigenous ecological knowledge, the land management expertise of Traditional Owners and the present-day conservation agenda, have combined to create a massive change in environmental policy and practice in Australia. |
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| Rights, Culture and Tradition |
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The intertwining of indigenous cultural and natural values over tens of thousands of years has substantially shaped the Australian environment. The relationship of Traditional Owners to their country brings with it an intricate system of rights and responsibilities to ‘Care for Country’. Aboriginal rights lead to conservation and development. |
Indigenous Conservation Updates
- New agreement supports Indigenous and conservation goals for the Great Western Woodlands - March 09, 2010
- Bullying tactics used in push to industrialise the Kimberley. - February 11, 2010
- Abbott braving the rapids over Wild Rivers legislation - January 14, 2010
The Wilderness Society and the Goldfields Land and Sea Council have signed an important agreement to work together for the protection of WA’s extraordinary Great Western Woodlands.The partners will develop a co-operative approach along with other land users to safeguard the ecology and cultural values of the region, and to ensure land justice and economic opportunities for the region’s Traditional Owners.
Right now, the Kimberley is under threat like never before. The Western Australian government, the Federal Resources Minister (Martin Ferguson) and the company Woodside have activated a time bomb set to explode in the Kimberley.
Tony Abbott’s "fair dinkum environmentalism" was spectacularly short-lived. If putting trade ahead of protecting whales, and labelling climate change concerns "crap" weren’t enough, Abbott has now launched a campaign to try to undo protections on pristine river systems on Cape York -- some of the last natural, free-flowing rivers in the country.
Indigenous Conservation Media Releases
- Community gets behind ‘Stop the Kimberley gas plant’ TV Ad campaign – now airing on Australia’s east coast - March 11, 2010
- New agreement supports Indigenous and conservation goals for the Great Western Woodlands - March 09, 2010
- Myth of Northern 'food bowl' finally put to rest - February 08, 2010
The Wilderness Society has joined with Kimberley residents, Indigenous Traditional Owners, local environment groups and professional filmmakers to produce a television advertising campaign highlighting opposition to the proposed LNG industry on the Kimberley coast. The 30 second advertisement has been shown on WA television and a fundraising campaign has provided the backing required to launch the ad for a primetime run on SBS world news in Sydney and Melbourne, beginning 8th of March 2010.
The Wilderness Society (TWS) and the Goldfields Land and Sea Council (GLSC) have signed an important agreement to work together for the protection of WA’s extraordinary Great Western Woodlands (GWW). The partners will develop a co-operative approach along with other land users to safeguard the ecology and cultural values of the region, and to ensure land justice and economic opportunities for the region’s Traditional Owners.
The Wilderness Society and Environs Kimberley today welcomed key elements of the new policy blueprint for future development in Northern Australia released by the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce.
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