Indigenous Protected Areas expand conservation in Australia
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Traditional Owners across Australia are dedicating land and sea as Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) to conserve nature and cultural values.
Unlike national parks managed by the government, IPAs are Indigenous-led, with Traditional Owners creating management plans based on both traditional knowledge and modern science. In 1998, Nantawarrina in South Australia became the first IPA, and now 96 IPAs span 113 million hectares, over 15% of Australia’s landmass and more than 55% of its National Reserve System.
These areas rely on Indigenous rangers who combine cultural practices with contemporary conservation techniques, such as controlled burning, invasive species control, and monitoring threatened wildlife. Ranger programs also create jobs and opportunities for cultural knowledge transfer between generations. While IPAs receive public funding, they currently get significantly less per hectare than national parks, just over A$1 compared to $16 to $58, so organizations supplement funding through carbon projects and grants.
The success of IPAs demonstrates the effectiveness of Australia’s oldest systems of land management. Though declaring IPAs is more challenging in densely populated areas, they are becoming increasingly important to Australia’s efforts to protect 30% of its land and waters by 2030, as pledged in an international agreement. Experts suggest increased funding and monitoring will be key to strengthening IPAs and tracking their benefits.
