First Nations Telegraph

The Northern Land Council congratulates everyone involved in the 4th annual Savanna Fire Forum in Darwin that will be followed by the inaugural National Indigenous Carbon Forum today, Wednesday 16 February 2022.

 

Both events are wonderful examples of innovative and collaborative approaches to land management led by the dozens of Indigenous organisations with carbon projects from across northern Australia, working together with a wide range of industry, government and nongovernment agencies and scientists.

 

Aboriginal people across the Top End of the NT and beyond have been managing their country through fire and other methods deeply embedded in culture, knowledge and tradition for many thousands of years.

 

In recent decades the NLC has been proud to lead the way in assisting Aboriginal ranger groups and land managers during the early stages of the carbon abatement industry that now sees 35 Indigenous-owned savanna fire management projects and other related efforts operating across right across northern Australia.

 

The 4th Savanna Fire Forum provides a fantastic opportunity for ranger groups and land managers to tell their unique stories and lessons learnt from their work on their own country and to hear from industry leaders and agencies that provide support and encouragement to their work.

 

The launch of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) Ltd represents perhaps the most important recent development in how we can continue to recognise, support and develop the contributions that Aboriginal people can make to managing our country. NLC CEO Joe Martin-Jard welcomes these developments.

 

“The NLC thrives on seeing the success of Aboriginal owned and driven projects, like the savanna burning program where Indigenous rangers and land managers meld modern science and traditional knowledge to care for their country in ways that only they know how to do,” said Mr Martin-Jard.

 

“For many years the NLC’s ranger groups have been participating in the carbon market, reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by caring for their country. We are really pleased to see Aboriginal enterprises leading the way and getting national and international recognition.”

 

Mr Martin-Jard said the NLC was thrilled to be the major sponsor of the events.

 

“As the Gold Sponsor of the North Australia Savanna Fire Forum and the National Indigenous Carbon Forum the NLC continues to recognise the importance of the innovative work done by the Network (ICIN) Ltd represents perhaps the ICIN and its partners. We congratulate everyone involved in savanna fire projects, the ICIN and all those who have contributed to the design and development of this unique network.

 

“We are especially proud of the NLC rangers groups, who are at the tip of the spear of our war on carbon – these include Yugul Mangi, Numbulwar, Garawa, Waanyi-Garawa, Timber Creek, Wardaman and Wagiman Rangers, to name a few. “We look forward to participating in a productive forum this week and to our continued engagement with ICIN and the continued success of Indigenous-led carbon initiatives.”

 

For more information or to register for the two-day event visit: www.savannafireforum.net