Indigenous land management
Indigenous land management is part of Caring for Country
palawa people (Aboriginal Tasmanians) have a deep connection to the lands of lutruwita/Tasmania, which has been ongoing for over 40,000 years.
Indigenous land management reflects this connection and the strong understanding Aboriginal Tasmanians have of Country. Indigenous land management practices are diverse and varied, reflecting both traditional knowledge and contemporary contexts, while centring the health and resilience of land.
Engage with Indigenous land management and support Caring for Country.
What is Indigenous land management?
Indigenous land management centres around the health, wellbeing and resilience of land, waters and sky.
It includes a wide range of activities, which are carried out by individuals, groups or organisations. Activities might include:
- Resource management including cultural and cool burning
- Conservation and rehabilitation, conserving that which exists and reintroducing species to improve the ecological health of the area
- Threatened flora and fauna species management as well as management and care of all other natural, cultural and heritage values
- Threat mitigation such as weed and pest reduction, including how society interacts with Country as a whole
- Knowledge sharing and the integration of cultural practices, understanding and management strategies.
Indigenous land management brings significant benefits for the environment, and for social, cultural, economic and health and wellbeing outcomes.
Learn more about Indigenous land management:
Caring for Country?
Country is central to the spiritual and cultural identity of Aboriginal people, and relates to complex matters such as law, place, custom, belief, language and family.
Caring for Country reinforces and supports these relationships. Aboriginal people consider themselves as a part of Country, rather than seperate. With this comes the custodial obligations to care for Country. Healthy Country means healthy people and communities.
Cultural burning
Cultural burning, including cool burning, is burning led or carried out by Aboriginal individuals and organisations. They apply cultural knowledge and techniques to improve the health of, and connections to, Country.
Cultural burning has been carried out in Tasmania for tens of thousands of years as a land management tool. It helps to protect assets and resources because it:
- Reduces wildfires by lessening fuel load
- Protects and enhances biodiversity and resets areas that benefit from correct fire usage
- Discourage weeds and prevent scrub takeover
- Generate new flora growth
- Encourage the return of native fauna.
What can farmers do?
Tasmanian farmers play an important role in Caring for Country.
You can engage Indigenous land management providers, or work with Aboriginal organisations and individuals, to conduct land management activities on your farm.
You'll gain valuable knowledge, perspectives and assistance to carry out land management activities that increase the health of your farm.
At the same time, you'll support the positive outcomes that Indigenous land management offers.
Start your planVisit the Directory of Tasmanian Forestry Services to find Aboriginal-led organisations supporting landowners to plan and undertake culturally appropriate land management.
Directory of Tasmanian Forestry Services