Wadlhu Ngurrku-Ku: Working Together to Care for Jackboot
Arabana Aboriginal Corporation recently came together with BHP and project partners to begin co-designing a Management Plan for the future care of Jackboot Paddock on Arabana Country.
The workshop brought together Arabana Rangers and AAC staff with representatives from BHP, Arid Recovery and Many Rivers, supported by independent facilitator URPS. The plan is being developed collaboratively by AAC and BHP, bringing together Arabana knowledge, Ranger experience and specialist ecological expertise from Barron Environmental.
This workshop builds on work already undertaken on Jackboot by the Arabana Rangers, alongside Arid Recovery and specialist ecologists Barron Environmental. Together, they have carried out ecological monitoring and helped collect, review and evaluate important baseline data. This information will support the long-term Jackboot Management Plan, helping us track changes over time and make informed decisions about the future care of Country.
Jackboot is an important part of Arabana Wadlhu. Looking after this Country means protecting its plants, animals and habitats, while also strengthening Arabana connection, knowledge and responsibility for Country. This work reflects our Wadlhu Ngurrku-Ku Framework, caring for Country, strengthening community and working according to Arabana values, cultural protocols and the proper way of doing things.
Our Ranger program will be central to this work. They will undertake much of the on-ground monitoring and land management, supported by ecological and other technical experts where specialist knowledge is needed.
The workshop gave us an opportunity to talk about what healthy Country looks like at Jackboot, how we can work together the proper way and how future activities can support Arabana-led care for Wadlhu.
An important part of this will be creating opportunities for Arabana community and knowledge holders to return to Jackboot, spend time on Country and help guide how it is cared for into the future. This also supports the direction of our Strategic Plan, to strengthen our Ranger workforce, bring Arabana knowledge and science together, build strong partnerships and create meaningful work for Arabana Nharla.
The workshop was another positive step in strengthening the partnership between AAC and BHP to build a shared direction for Jackboot.
The next stage will see AAC and BHP continue working together to develop the co-designed Management Plan and confirm priorities, with Arabana Rangers and community playing a leading role in caring for this important part of Country.
Healthy Wadlhu, strong partnerships and Arabana people caring for Country.
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