The Northern Australia Indigenous Biosecurity Ranger Forum was a dynamic three-day program filled with practical sessions, workshops, and panel discussions. It provided the perfect opportunity for staff in the Chief Environmental Biosecurity Office to engage in thought-provoking discussions, participate in knowledge sharing, forge new relationships, and strengthen existing connections.
The forum opened with a powerful Welcome to Country and a traditional ceremony by the hosts, the Mandubarra Land and Sea Rangers. Approximately 270 delegates from over 65 ranger groups across Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia travelled to Cairns in early November to attend the forum. On the first day there were presentations from Indigenous ranger organisations which included an overview of the Indigenous Rangers Biosecurity Program (IRBP). There were also talks on the unique biosecurity challenges in Northern Australia with discussions led by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Northern Australia Coordination Network. A delegation from New Zealand spoke about New Zealand’s biosecurity experiences with their country’s First Nations community.
The following days were dedicated to hands-on workshops and cultural tours, together offering diverse experiences ranging from interactive biosecurity activities such as plant and animal surveillance, to Mandubarra cultural tours.
Workshops held by Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy encouraged attendees to participate in plant host identification, Avian Influenza sampling, and entomology sessions. The IRBP team facilitated yarning circles to gather feedback and initiate discussions about a proposed ranger biosecurity education pack.
Throughout the event, an expo provided organisations such as Biosecurity Queensland, Australian Border Force, CSIRO, and Reef Cooperative the chance to showcase their use of new technologies like drones and virtual reality to improve environmental outcomes.
The forum concluded with a vibrant gala dinner themed ‘Sea Country’ and featured traditional dancing and entertainment from Far North Queensland Indigenous group, Black Image Band. Feedback received from the rangers was overwhelmingly positive, emphasising the collaborative efforts undertaken across Northern Australia to fortify biosecurity measures.
The Northern Australia Indigenous Biosecurity Ranger Forum proved to be more than just a gathering, it was a testament to the unity and dedication among Indigenous ranger groups and stakeholders in safeguarding the environment and communities through their collaborative efforts in biosecurity.
