In a national first, Jawoyn Rangers and joining forces with Northern Territory Park Rangers to use traditional Indigenous fire management to reduce damaging wildfires at Nitmiluk National Park.

The joint partnership between the Territory Government and the Jawoyn Association marks the first time an Indigenous-owned ranger group has worked on a government-managed national park in Australia.

The fire program will involve early dry season patchwork burning to minimise the number and intensity of wildfires across the Nitmiluk’s 292,800 hectares.

It helps protect important flora and fauna, and reduces smoke and greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn generates carbon offsets.

Jawoyn Rangers have been carrying out the same work on country under the West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement project for many years.

“This exciting new project is anticipated to generate $200,000 per year in income for the Jawoyn Association,” Ms Moss said.

“It will create employment and training opportunities for Indigenous Territorians and also help protect our beautiful Nitmiluk National Park.

“The income generated will then be used to continue improving fire and weed management of the area, in particular to minimise hot fires.”

Jawoyn Association board chairperson Lisa Mumbin said the program presents a fantastic opportunity for carbon farming on savannah woodland vegetation.

“Nitmiluk National Park has been jointly managed by the Jawoyn people and the Northern Territory Government since 1989 and is heralded as a model for joint management between Aboriginal people and governments across Australia,” Ms Mumbin said.

“This agreement further cements the collaboration between Jawoyn and government and represents new ways we are working together.

“I commend the efforts of everyone involved to bring this project to fruition and hope it will help to pave the way for other Territory Parks.”