This week several ICIN members, directors and staff attended the Reimagining Conservation Forum on Gimuy Walubara Yindinji country in Cairns to listen and discuss issues critical to Indigenous land and sea management, emerging environmental markets and on country research, with the theme 'Country is Life'.

NAILSMA has supported collaborative Indigenous led research on carbon abatement from savanna fire management since 2008, including the development of the 2012 and 2020 savanna fire management carbon methods.
 
The forum heard from many inspiring thought leaders, including Dr Otto Bulmaniya Campion of Arafura Swamp Rangers AC who spoke of his deep cultural and spiritual connections to his country at Gurruwiling. In the On Country panel, Dr Dean Yibarbuk spoke about the history of colonisation of his country in West Arnhem land and the impact this had on removing his people from their country. Now, his people are returning to country and establishing outstations thanks to revenue from their carbon credit project, the West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement project.

A particular highlight for us all was hearing from young Indigenous people, including Melissa Andrews-Wurramarrba who spoke passionately about the need to support the Ropa Wada Governance Council to protect Roper river and springs from overextraction. ICIN staff also had an opportunity to participate in a mangrove boardwalk and see firsthand the opportunities there are for blue carbon projects, you can read more about blue carbon on ICIN's resources page here. 

Congratulations to the NAILSMA CEO Barry J Hunter, chair Phil Rist and team, in particular Co-facilitators Cissy Gore-Birch OAM and Erica McCreedy on hosting these important discussions. 
 
A joint statement supported by Indigenous land and sea organisations will be issued from the forum calling for proper long-term funding of Indigenous land and sea ranger programs.