Filmed amidst the stunning native forests of Queensland and New South Wales, ‘Roots of Resilience’ tells the story of the deep connection between forests and First Nations culture, and the threat posed by the devastating plant disease – myrtle rust.
Interviews with Australia’s Indigenous rangers, biosecurity officers and New Zealand’s Māori rangers have been intercut with breathtaking scenery to create an immersive viewing experience.
Audiences are asked to consider the direct link between healthy forests and healthy people and the critical importance of protecting our environmental and cultural heritage.
‘Roots of Resilience’ was developed through the Indigenous forest health project which focused on improving the capacity of Indigenous rangers and natural resource management agencies to protect culturally significant species and places threatened by exotic pests and diseases such as myrtle rust.
As part of this project a training program was also developed, and a series of workshops were held for landholders and traditional owners to assist in educating the community about myrtle rust.
Myrtle rust, first detected in New South Wales in 2010, has now spread as far south as Victoria and Tasmania, and north to Queensland and the Tiwi Islands. In 2022, it was detected in northern Western Australia. It has irrevocably altered the forest ecosystems it has infected.
Dr Bertie Hennecke, Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Office said, “the department is working with First Nations Rangers and communities, to raise awareness of this environmental biosecurity threat and build capacity to detect and report strains of myrtle rust on Country.
“One of the most effective strategies to manage the spread of myrtle rust and other invasive plant diseases is to find new ways of collaborating. We need to respectfully share knowledge with traditional owners and integrate new scientific-based approaches with cultural land management practices.”
The department participates in the National Myrtle Rust Working Group to support best practice myrtle rust control and management across Australia and continues to work to achieving the actions outlined in the National Myrtle Rust Action Plan.
‘Roots of Resilience’ was produced with funding from the department’s Environmental Biosecurity Project Fund, and in collaboration with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, Aboriginal Communities and partners in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
To watch the film and find out more about myrtle rust visit: www.agriculture.gov.au/first-nations-environmental-biosecurity
