Indigenous communities and natural resource management

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have managed their lands for tens of thousands of years. The land, and its natural resources, provide an economic base, underpin Indigenous history, innovation and culture, and are fundamental to Indigenous spiritual beliefs.

Indigenous land managers also face natural resource management challenges such as weed and feral animal invasions, and of achieving economic sustainability.
Indigenous communities across Australia are working in partnership with the Australian, state and territory governments and with regional communities to address these natural resource management issues.

Indigenous NRM funding

• Working on Country 
• Carpentaria Ghost Nets Program 
• Indigenous Heritage Program 
• Indigenous People in Rural Industries Program 
• Indigenous Protected Areas Program
• See also NRM funding for local communities and landholders

Indigenous NRM services and support

• Australian Government programs and services for Indigenous Australians 
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Indigenous partnerships 
• Remote Oil Collection Program 

Help for Indigenous land managers

If you would like help developing or submitting an Indigenous land management project proposal or application please contact your local:

• Indigenous Coordination Centre  or
• Caring for our Country regional officer

These resources may also help you with planning, submitting or implementing your projects:

• Community Access to Natural Resource Information 
• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs 
• Guidelines for Indigenous participation in natural resource management
• Indigenous portal 
• Shared Responsibility Agreements and Regional Partnership Agreements 

Indigenous NRM publications

• Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Caring for Country Plan 
• Case Studies in Indigenous engagement in NRM
• Guidelines for Indigenous participation in natural resource management
• Indigenous Australians: Natural Resource Management 
• Natural Resource Management Cross-Cultural Awareness Training Framework
• Indigenous knowldege forum, Alice Springs 28-29 May 2003 - workshop outcomes 
  • Working with Indigenous knowledge in natural resource management: Guidelines for regional bodies 
  • Working with Indigenous knowledge in natural resource management: Recommendations for Commonwealth agencies 
  • Working with Indigenous knowledge in natural resource management: Sea Forum case study 
  • Working with Indigenous knowledge in natural resource management: Ways to improve community engagement 
• Indigenous Protected Areas Newsletter 
• National Aquaculture Development Strategy for Indigenous Communities in Australia 
• National Indigenous Forestry Strategy 
• National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey of Australia 
• Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy 
• Sea Country Newsletter 

‘Our culture is so deeper and wise you don't know what's in it, like tree have a name, grass have a name, and rock have a name, bird have a name - every different sort of bird or animals, flying things or crawling animal or in the sea; all names, If we don't learn, one day it will be no more’
Wandjuk Marika - Life Story, 1995