The Natural Resources Commission has launched an Aboriginal Natural Resources Management (NRM) webpage to acknowledge Aboriginal peoples’ deep connection to Australia’s lands and waters.
The Commission said it hoped the webpage would promote its growing efforts to collaborate with Aboriginal peoples and organisations to ensure meaningful participation in natural resource management.
“The Commission recognises that Traditional Owners have a deep cultural, social, environmental, spiritual and economic connection to their lands and waters with ongoing knowledge of natural resource management,” the Commission said.
“We can use this [webpage] as a tool to strengthen our engagement with Aboriginal NRM knowledge holders, thought leaders and experts so they can share their knowledge to inform our reviews and advice,” it said.
The Commission said Aboriginal peoples had contributed a great deal to natural resource management over the past millennia through their diverse and deep connections with Australia’s lands and waters, and they continued to care for country today.
It said it was collaborating with Aboriginal peoples and organisations to ensure they could fully participate in decision-making, leadership and action in natural resource management.
“The natural resource management sector is characterised by Aboriginal interest and participation but this involvement needs to be strengthened,” it said.
“We invite Aboriginal NRM knowledge holders, thought leaders and experts to get in touch with us, share their backgrounds, knowledge and stories to inform our reviews and advice.”
The Commission called on Aboriginal people who wished to provide input to email it at [email protected] or call (02) 9228 4844.
The Natural Resources Commission’s Aboriginal NRM webpage can be accessed at this PS News link.
