NERP TE Project 12.1 Indigenous co-management and biodiversity protection (CSIRO)

The project seeks to improve understanding of practices that can underpin co-management arrangements for conservation areas, including the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA).

A co-research team of CSIRO scientists, Rainforest Aboriginal peoples, protected area managers and other key partners will investigate the potential of Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs), and other collaborative models and tools, to engage Indigenous values and world views. The team will focus on the conditions under which these arrangements lead to effective joint management.

The overall goal of the project is to identify the means for effective engagement of Indigenous knowledge and co-management for biodiversity and cultural protection in the region; and for joint management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area between governments and Rainforest Aboriginal peoples, in partnership with communities.

The project will deliver tested mechanisms for co-governance and collaboration between Traditional Owners, government managers, and other key partners, for biodiversity and Indigenous cultural conservation in the Wet Tropics region.

This project is now complete.