A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. Six categories (one of which has two sub-categories) of protected area are recognised: I(a) Strict Nature Reserve, I(b) Wilderness Area, II. National Park, III. Natural Monument, IV. (more)...
The Ord-Bonaparte Program (OPB) of Land & Water Australia ran from 2002 to 2005. OBP Project 1 was about Planning for Country with Subprogram 5 about Aboriginal Planning and Management for Country. The initial activity of Subprogram 5 was a Scoping Study to identify areas for the development of research projects for implementation.
This report highlights that the Aboriginal cultural landscape of the Ord-Bonaparte region is complex and multi-layered. The historical, social, economic and environmental realities of Aboriginal people are accordingly diverse. Aboriginal people are still, statistically and in reality, experiencing extreme poverty, poor health and education levels, and their impacts. This is despite previous and ongoing regional development and planning activities aimed at better economic and social outcomes for the (more)...
This LWA funded project developed a research program for the Indigenous Water Policy Group to cover identified information gaps and key issues. The themes included: identification of Indigenous water rights; interactions between water markets and the customary sector; examination of international experience, frameworks and models; Indigenous economic position in water use and markets; representation on environmental bodies; communication; and scrutiny of water services, (more)...
This report is the output of the LWA, NAILSMA and Tropical Savannas CRC project, A Strategy for the Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and the Development of Indigenous Livelihoods on the Remote north Australian Indigenous Estate.
The research project highlighted the challenges involved in promoting sustainable development on Indigenous-held pastoral properties in the East Kimberley. Cultural traditions and aspirations, conventional natural resource management (NRM) practices and institutional issues all need to be addressed simultaneously to improve management outcomes in northern Australia. Integrated planning options identified by the project informed policy makers on indigenous (more)...
The results of this study have revealed that the number of freshwater fishes (species diversity) of the King Edward River is higher than has previously been recorded for a Western Australian river. Twenty-six freshwater fish species were recorded, which is three species higher than the much larger Fitzroy River in the southern Kimberley. The study also resulted in a number of range extensions, including Butler’s Grunter and Silver Cobbler to the west, and the Slender Gudgeon to the north and east. (more)...
The project devised and documented ‘a strategy for the conservation and application of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) across northern Australia.’ The strategy is based on the findings that there had been limited consultation with interested Indigenous groups; undervaluing of IK contributions to land and sea management; a lack of coordinated effort to provide long term and appropriate investment in IK, a rapid loss of language (more)...
Indigenous Law and cultural traditions remain strong and active in many parts of Australia. This project demonstrates a way for local Indigenous groups and other stakeholders to agree on the management of significant places and local issues with the aim of improving cultural and national heritage and Indigenous futures.
This report presents a strategic framework as a lens for examining the current collection of research on regional NRM from across Land & Water Australia’s (LWA) program portfolios, and for making recommendations on future directions and priorities for research investment. Specific recommendations are made on the basis of research findings from a sample of past investment, as well as from input from several members of (more)...
