Walbunja Rangers
Stewardship Framework
Caring for Walbunja Country, Culture and Community.
A practical framework for cultural, environmental, sea country, fire, community and economic stewardship across Walbunja Country.
Six Stewardship Pillars
The framework brings together cultural authority, ecological practice and community benefit in one coordinated program of care.
1
Cultural Stewardship
- Protect cultural heritage sites
- Support Elders and decision-making
- Promote Dhurga language and cultural knowledge
- Deliver cultural camps, school programs and on-Country learning
- Respect cultural protocols in all activities
2
Environmental Stewardship
- Biodiversity monitoring and ecological surveys
- Protect threatened species and habitats
- Manage weeds and pest animals
- Revegetation with local native species
- Improve ecosystem resilience to climate change
3
Sea Country Stewardship
- Bimbala and marine biodiversity surveys
- Restore traditional fish traps and cultural fishing practices
- Protect estuaries, seagrass and coastal ecosystems
- Monitor water quality and marine species
- Support sustainable fisheries and cultural harvest
4
Fire Stewardship
- Reignite cultural burning practices
- Collaborate with Traditional Owners, RFS and agencies
- Reduce fuel loads through planned cultural burns
- Protect cultural sites and ecological values
- Train and mentor future cultural fire practitioners
5
Community Stewardship
- Support employment and training opportunities
- Deliver school-based cultural education programs
- Engage volunteers and community groups
- Promote wellbeing through connection to Country
- Build pathways into environmental and cultural careers
6
Economic Stewardship
- Fee-for-service environmental management programs
- Support Indigenous enterprise development
- Deliver high-quality environmental and cultural services
- Build partnerships with government, industry and community
- Reinvest income into Country and community outcomes
Stewardship Responsibilities
Walbunja Rangers
- Deliver stewardship activities
- Monitor environmental outcomes
- Maintain cultural integrity
- Report progress and outcomes
Traditional Owners and Elders
- Provide cultural guidance
- Support decision-making
- Facilitate knowledge transfer
Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Provide governance and oversight
- Support strategic planning
- Ensure accountability and compliance
Partner Organisations
- Support training, resources and project delivery
- Respect cultural authority and Indigenous leadership
- Collaborate in achieving shared stewardship outcomes
Measuring Success
Progress is monitored and reported across outcomes that track impact for Country, culture and community.
- Cultural outcomes
- Environmental outcomes
- Sea Country outcomes
- Fire outcomes
- Community engagement outcomes
- Employment outcomes
- Training outcomes
- Economic outcomes
Stewardship Commitment
The Walbunja Rangers commit to caring for Country through respect, responsibility, reciprocity and cultural authority. Through stewardship, we honour our ancestors, support our community and ensure future generations inherit healthy Country, thriving culture and sustainable opportunities.
When Country is healthy, people are healthy. When culture is strong, communities are strong.