At the end of July, a group of Nyiyaparli Rangers and TO’s, along with KNAC staff attended the Pilbara Cultural Land Management Project’s (PCLMP) Water Forum in Karratha and Millstream National Park, on Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Countries. The Nyiyaparli/KNAC crew were joined by representatives from the other eleven PCLMP TO member groups.
More than 6 months in the making and co-designed by the PCLMP working group, PCLMP support team and the Department of Water and Environmental (DWER), the forum brought groups together to talk all things water, from legislative reform to water planning to on-ground monitoring.
On day one, Nyiyaparli TO, Brian Tucker, presented on the cultural importance of yindas and cultural protocols in the management of water systems, which set the scene for the week.
The week also incorporated practical training for rangers in interpreting water datasets, and water monitoring indicators, equipment and methods, by the Winyama team and DWER field staff.
Later in the week, Michelle Andrews, Director General of DWER, and Matthew Tonts, Chair of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), joined the groups at Millstream as we discussed the beginnings of a PCLMP/DWER/EPA partnership framework.
Big thanks to PCLMP support team members – Jenna, Rob, Andrew and Danielle, and DWER staff Clare, Jo and Susie for your efforts over many months in bringing together what was a fabulous week.
Thank you also to the Nyiyaparli crew of BT, Roderick, Carol-Anne and Lauren for your invaluable input throughout the week.