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Native biodiversity

Press Release: Protecting and Restoring Native Species in West Arnhem Land

Karrkad Kanjdji Trust and Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife are supporting Indigenous rangers in their efforts to protect and restore native species across the important Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) of Warddeken.

April 18th, 2023
Warddeken IPA
Warddeken Land Management Limited

Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW) has teamed up with the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT) to support Indigenous rangers in their efforts to protect and restore native species across the important Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) of Warddeken, West Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory of Australia. This area was recently listed as a priority for biodiversity protection and species recovery by the Federal Government, and relies on the ongoing conservation work of Traditional Owners. Around 85 per cent of Australia's plant species are endemic, and our nation is home to half the world’s marsupial species. While this is impressive, Australia also has one of the highest rates of biodiversity loss in the world. Our precious places are suffering from changes in land use, the invasion of weeds and feral animals, all causing devastating impact on fragile and vital ecosystems. Traditional Owners manage these areas with knowledge dating back tens of thousands of years

‘Native animals are important in our Country because they have a connection with us, and we have a connection with them, and to the land” - Sarah Nabarlambarl Billis

Warddeken’s Mayh recovery project began in 2017 at the request of Traditional Owners. It is a long term project blending Western science and Indigenous ecological knowledge, aiming to increase populations of small mammals within the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area. The defining purpose of the program is to achieve biodiversity and biocultural heritage conservation in the Stone Country.

With philanthropic support, like that of FNPW, rangers can conduct essential work such as setting up motion-sensing biodiversity monitoring cameras, analysing data about the distribution and size of threatened animal populations and measuring the impact of key threats such as feral animals and wildfires. With this information, rangers can then develop targeted management plans to reduce the impact of threats and support native species to flourish.

With up to 60 individual monitoring sites each year, Warddeken rangers have already identified endangered species such as the Djabbo (Northern Quoll) and Bakkadjdji (Black-footed Tree-rat), vulnerable species such as the Yirlinkkirrkkirr (White-Throated Grasswren) and Djeybuh (northern brushtail possum). These species also hold deep cultural importance. Rangers have identified effective approaches to restoring these species across the IPA, which then informs other work programs across the ranger organisation.It is with the generosity of future-thinking philanthropic partnerships like Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, that ensures vital care for these important ecosystems can take place.

“The work that KKT and the Indigenous rangers are undertaking in Arnhem Land are at the core of our existence. By blending Traditional Owner knowledge and science together we are protecting threatened species and improving the biodiversity of Australia for future generations"- Ian Darbyshire, CEO, FNPW

"We are thrilled to have the support of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW). Working together to support Traditional Owners in their incredible management and care for Country, ensures ecosystems can thrive for all future generations to come” - Stacey Irving, CEO, Karrkad Kanjdji Trust

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