Conservation & Land Management
The Nari Nari people are deeply involved in conservation and land management, particularly through their work at Gayini, a vast 87,816-hectare property in southwest New South Wales.
Key aspects of their efforts:
Restoring Wetlands: They bulldoze embankments and open channels to allow floodwaters to move freely, filling lignum wetlands and providing essential habitat for breeding birds.
Sustainable Agriculture: They develop sustainable agricultural practices that balance food production with environmental conservation.
Cultural Heritage: They protect significant cultural heritage sites and revive traditional practices that have been lost due to colonisation.
Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs): They manage areas like the Toogimbie IPA, which includes wetlands and floodplains that are home to totem animals and traditional medicines.
Collaborative Agreements: They have entered into historic agreements with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and the NSW Government to ensure permanent protection and sustainable management of their lands.
Their approach is a blend of traditional knowledge and modern technology, aiming to create a sustainable future for both the environment and their community.
Gayini is a sprawling 87,816-hectare property in southwest New South Wales, owned and managed by the Nari Nari Tribal Council. This land is a beacon of conservation and cultural preservation, blending traditional knowledge with modern techniques to restore wetlands, develop sustainable agriculture, and protect significant cultural heritage sites. Through collaborative agreements with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and the NSW Government, the Nari Nari people have secured permanent protection for Gayini, ensuring its natural and cultural values are respected and sustained for future generations.
Gayini Conservation Area
The Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), covering 4,600 hectares, is located on the southern side of the Murrumbidgee River between Hay and Maude in New South Wales. Managed by the Nari Nari Tribal Council, this area includes former pasture lands, eucalypt-lined creeks, waterways, and a floodplain.
The Toogimbie IPA is dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Nari Nari people's cultural heritage and natural environment1. It supports endangered and vulnerable plant and animal species, and its wetlands are home to totem animals and traditional medicines.
The area was once part of a major Indigenous trade route, reflecting its historical and cultural significance.
