Indigenous Protected Areas
See our IPA videos
Our vision is to protect and enhance our culture and history, while encouraging and protecting the natural environment and conserving biodiversity. | Nari Nari Tribal Council
Indigenous Australians have managed their country for tens of thousands of years. An Indigenous Protected Area is an area of Indigenous-owned land or sea where traditional owners have entered into an agreement with the Australian Government to promote biodiversity and cultural resource conservation. Indigenous Protected Areas make a significant contribution to Australian biodiversity conservation - making up nearly a third of Australia's National Reserve System.
Indigenous Protected Areas deliver more than environmental benefits. Managing Indigenous Protected Areas helps Indigenous communities to protect their significant cultural values for future generations and receive spin-off health, education, economic and social benefits.
A north coast refuge in New South Wales
10 May 2013
Stretching over 1,114 hectares of the Lower Richmond Valley on the northern coast of New South Wales, Ngunya Jargoon Indigenous Protected Area is a refuge for an extraordinary number of plants and animals. The Indigenous Protected Area is part of the traditional homelands of the Bundjalung people of Ballina and Cabbage Tree Island and creates a wildlife corridor between the region’s protected areas.
About Indigenous Protected Areas
There are now 51 declared Indigenous Protected Areas covering 36 million hectares and over 40 consultation projects across Australia. The Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative plans to increase Indigenous Protected Areas by at least 40 per cent over the next five years - an increase of at least eight million hectares.
What is an Indigenous Protected Area? | Sea Country Indigenous Protected Areas | Visiting Areas
Declared Indigenous Protected Areas - Case studies
Each declared Indigenous Protected Area is actively managed by its Indigenous owners, who protect their land's plants, animals and cultural sites. The rangers work to control weeds, feral animals and wildfire, and carefully manage visitor impacts.
Every Indigenous Protected Area makes an important contribution to Australia's nation-wide network of parks and reserves, the National Reserve System.
Case studies: New South Wales | Victoria | Queensland | South Australia | Western Australia | Tasmania | Northern Territory