A project developed with NSW (Aj Perkins, Tilly Davis and Angus Carnegie) and DAF (Geoff Pegg and Louise Shuey), “Developing partnerships to protect Country from forest biosecurity threats”, aims to collaboratively develop and deliver culturally appropriate environmental biosecurity training programs to increase the capacity of Indigenous Rangers, Natural Resource Management agencies (NRM) and other land managers across Australia to prepare for, detect and respond to plant pests and diseases threatening Australia’s forests.

By engaging with different Indigenous Ranger groups, we are looking to increase awareness of exotic pests and pathogens that threaten the health of Country, tangible and intangible cultural values, and Indigenous peoples’ ability to practise culture.

The project has also extended Internationally, with funding allowing for Māori groups working on myrtle rust in New Zealand to visit the Butchulla people on K’gari and Gumbaynggirr people in Coffs Harbour. The trip started on K’gari on the 8th of May with Butchulla (Butchulla rangers and knowledge holders, including Butchulla Elder and community linguist, Aunty Josey (Joyce) Bonner) warmly welcoming our New Zealand visitors. All were welcomed to K’gari with language, song, dance, story and cleansing smoking ceremony.

The group was joined by researchers from DAF, DPE NSW and SCION in New Zealand. Lasting friendships were developed quickly as we visited culturally and spiritually significant sites on K’gari. One of the favourite spots was the iconic Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie). Much was learned about culturally modified trees (arrow and scarred trees), edible, medicinal and resource plants, cultural custodianship, and traditional sciences informed by knowledge systems embedded in stories. Through endless yarns, storytelling and mutual gift-giving, similarities in cultures, Lore/Law, experiences, and ways of being were identified. Parting ways was an emotional experience, but it was not goodbye as plans are in place for a reciprocal visit. From K’gari we set off to have a look at the impact of myrtle rust in the Gold Coast Hinterland and then to Gumbaynggirr wajaarr Country (Coffs Harbour).

This exchange gave groups an opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and share knowledge and processes of caring for Country in the face of these new challenges. A regional approach to environmental biosecurity is a must, along with culturally appropriate ways of managing threats like myrtle rust.

Article submitted by Dr Geoff Pegg, DAF and Tilly Davis and Aj Perkins DPE NSW