Indigenous Protected Areas
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Our vision is to protect and enhance our culture and history, while encouraging and protecting the natural environment and conserving biodiversity. | Nari Nari Tribal Council
Indigenous Australians have managed their country for tens of thousands of years. An Indigenous Protected Area is an area of Indigenous-owned land or sea where traditional owners have entered into an agreement with the Australian Government to promote biodiversity and cultural resource conservation. Indigenous Protected Areas make a significant contribution to Australian biodiversity conservation - making over 24 per cent of Australia's National Reserve System.
Indigenous Protected Areas deliver more than environmental benefits. Managing Indigenous Protected Areas helps Indigenous communities to protect their significant cultural values for future generations and receive spin-off health, education, economic and social benefits.
Working together to conserve the Cairns coastline
Nearly 10,000 hectares of world renowned Wet Tropics received a conservation boost today with dedication of the Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Protected Area.
Mandingalbay Yidinji country lies just east of Cairns across the Trinity Inlet. Straddling the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas, the region includes a great diversity of environments - mangroves, freshwater wetlands, rainforest clad mountains, coastal beaches, reefs and islands.
It is the first time in Australia’s history an Indigenous Protected Area has been declared over existing World Heritage areas and national parks. Today’s dedication is testament to the hard work of the traditional owners, who have taken a partnership approach to reach their goal of ‘putting country back together’.
More news | Read more about Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Protected Area
About Indigenous Protected Areas
There are now 50 declared Indigenous Protected Areas and over 40 consultation projects across Australia. The Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative plans to increase Indigenous Protected Areas by at least 40 per cent over the next five years - an increase of at least eight million hectares.
What is an Indigenous Protected Area? | Sea Country Indigenous Protected Areas | Visiting Areas
Declared Indigenous Protected Areas - Case studies
Each declared Indigenous Protected Area is actively managed by its Indigenous owners, who protect their land's plants, animals and cultural sites. The rangers work to control weeds, feral animals and wildfire, and carefully manage visitor impacts.
Every Indigenous Protected Area makes an important contribution to Australia's nation-wide network of parks and reserves, the National Reserve System.
Case studies: New South Wales | Victoria | Queensland | South Australia | Western Australia | Tasmania | Northern Territory