WALN is aware that there is a very high interest amongst WA landcare groups to learn more about both the importance of cultural burning and particularly the techniques of cool burning, with some already happening in places like Donnybrook, Katanning and Moore Catchment. WALN has been impressed by examples of cultural burning in the eastern states, especially the cultural burning program run by ACT Parks and Conservation and the work of the Indigenous Fire Network. It is interesting that the majority of this work is done in conjunction with local landcare groups.

WALN is keen to hear feedback from member groups and the wider landcare community on whether you would like further information, training and events in the cultural burning space.  Let us know what you would like and let’s get the information sharing happening across the WA Landcare Network. Email WALN with your feedback to enquiries@landcarewa.org.au or contact us on Facebook or Twitter.

Interesting Articles on Cultural Burning

With Wildfires on the Rise, Indigenous Fire Management Is Poised to Make a Comeback
https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/61109-with-wildfires-on-the-rise-indigenous-fire-management-is-poised-to-make-a-comeback

Useful links

ACT Government Bushfire Management website
https://www.environment.act.gov.au/ACT-parks-conservation/bushfire_management

BNHCRC research project website on ‘Hazards, Culture and Indigenous Communities’
http://naturalhazardscrc.com.au/research/hazard-resilience/3397

Recent workshop paper on Cultural Burning forum:
https://www.bnhcrc.com.au/publications/biblio/bnh-4738

ABC article about recent fires in Tathra and cultural burning
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/indigenous-burning-before-and-after-tathra-bushfire/10258140

Richard Flanagan speech at Garma Festival 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/05/the-world-is-being-undone-before-us-if-we-do-not-reimagine-australia-we-will-be-undone-too

ANU fire-science course
https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/ENVS3008

National policy positions on cultural burning

COAG National Bushfire Management Strategy
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/publications-search/national-bushfire-management-policy-statement-for-forests-and-rangelands

AFAC Council position on Prescribed Burning
https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/media/4869/national-position-on-prescribed-burning.pdf