Indigenous Engagement & Participation Strategy

Date: 24, Apr, 2019
Author(s):   TSR Hub
Publisher: TSR Hub

Indigenous Australians have a kinship and connection to country, which shapes land and species management practice. Indigenous peoples play a significant role in biodiversity conservation in Australia and are motivated to pursue on-country enterprises that can marry conservation with livelihood objectives. They hold title over a large and increasing proportion of Australia’s land and waters, including areas important to endangered and vulnerable species. Australia's threatened species strategy rightly acknowledges that Indigenous people have very significant interests in, knowledge of, and responsibilities for Australia’s natural environment, including threatened species recovery and protection. The Australian Government's strategy outlines an evidence-based approach to guide on- ground action for threatened species conservation. Indigenous people are critical partners in this effort because many Indigenous communities own much of the land on which threatened species exist, have knowledge and connections to country that can inform context-appropriate and effective on-ground action and are motivated to engage in research, monitoring, management needed to meet Australia's threatened species strategy targets. The Threatened Species Recovery Hub (TSR Hub) of the National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. The TSR research hub aims to provide an evidence-base that will optimise the effectiveness of on-ground actions. This aim will be enhanced by working collaboratively with a range of partners, including local Indigenous communities. This document charts the strategy that will guide the formation of effective partnerships between the TSR Hub and Indigenous communities.