Nearly 300 Indigenous rangers, coordinators and biosecurity staff came together recently for the Northern Australian Indigenous Biosecurity Ranger Forum held from 17-19 October.
Attendees from New Zealand, the Kimberley and Torres Strait gathered for the 3-day intensive and immersive workshop, that included yarning circles and cultural experiences.
After a 3-year break, the department’s Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program worked with Mandubarra Aboriginal Land and Sea Corporation to deliver the much-anticipated event.
Participants engaged in immersive biosecurity experiences including mock aquatic pest detections, interactive avian influenza detection, plant host games, virtual reality, and live insect displays to spark conversation.
There was much to be learned including identifying sick or dying plants, drone mapping, feral pest management on the Tiwi Islands, the famous guitar made from ghost nets, and much more!
Throughout the event, many questions were asked, and importantly networks and connections cemented.
This forum, and others like it, provide valuable opportunities for Indigenous rangers undertaking biosecurity in northern Australia to share their knowledge and gain hands-on biosecurity training which is vital to helping protect our beautiful country and agricultural industries from the threat of exotic pests, diseases and weeds.
Thank you to Mandubarra for a well-organised and memorable event, and to the rangers, agency representatives and colleagues who will take back with them valuable lessons.
We’re already looking forward to the next one!
For more information about the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program or details on the Ranger Forum sessions, email: tropicalbiosecurity@aff.gov.au.
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