June 2025 

New Associate Member: Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board 

The Network is proud to welcome Alinytjara Wilurara (AW) Landscape Board to our network of Indigenous land and sea management organisations working in the carbon industry. The AW Landscape Board manages one of Australia's most extensive regions, covering the north-west third of South Australia across more than 250,000 km². 

Photo caption: Image of AW ecologist at Wamitjara APY Lands and image of AW ecologist talking to school students about mallee fowl, © AW Landscape. 

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 North Australia Savanna Fire Forum 

We're excited to announce the 8th annual 2026 North Australia Savanna Fire Forum will be held on Larrakia Country from 24-27 February 2026. Next year, for the first time, we will co-locate the Savanna Fire Forum with the National Indigenous Carbon Forum, extending the reach and depth of the event. Every year this event is sold out, in 2026 we are expecting 600 attendees - our largest yet. ICIN is seeking sponsorship partners, please get in touch with Amy at [email protected] for more information. 

Photo caption: Rangers and ICIN Co-Chair Cissy Gore-Birch OAM at the 2025 North Australia Savanna Fire Forum. 

ICIN panel 'Standing Firm for Our Country'

ICIN is proud to be presenting for the first time at Garma 2025, an important event organised by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, held on Yolŋu Country at Gulkula, in north-east Arnhem Land. Our panel 'Standing Firm for Our Country' will take place on Sunday, 3 August at 4:00pm in the Garrtjambal Auditorium, with Dr Dean Yibarbuk, Cissy Gore Birch OAM, and Suzanne Thompson exploring the vital role of the Indigenous carbon industry in driving economic self-determination, creating job opportunities, and delivering environmental benefits. If you're also at Garma, we hope to see you there. For any questions, please contact Clare at [email protected].

Policy developments from the ICIN

ACCU Scheme and Nature Repair Market Scheme policy

• ICIN sent a submission on the Government's proposed 'Framework for Indigenous Knowledge Integration in the Ecological Knowledge System for the Nature Repair Market', based on feedback from members and our directors that expressed concerns about this framework.
• ICIN met with the Clean Energy Regulator about their outcomes paper on their consultation on carbon market infrastructure for holding and trading certificates and units, we will keep members informed as we get updates.

ACCU Scheme methods

• ICIN met with members to collect feedback on the draft method for the management of introduced hooved animals (ungulates) to send to the University of Queensland and North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA). We will send our draft submission to members for comment in mid-July.
• ICIN participated in the first meeting of the DCCEEW IFLM Stakeholder Group to give feedback on the proposed Integrated Farm and Land Management method and what changes would make it more accessible for Indigenous groups and organisations.
• ICIN held three workshops with Indigenous organisations about the proposed Improved Avoided Clearing of Native Forest Regrowth method to provide input to the Queensland Government. 
• ICIN participated in the Savanna Fire Management Technical & Regulatory Working Group to give feedback on the Savanna Carbon Accounting Model (SavCAM) tool. We will hold a member workshop on 22 July, 10.30-12pm CST to seek feedback from members on SavCAM. 

Blue Carbon and Environmental Markets Project 

• This month, ICIN has continued to hold workshops with groups who are interested in blue carbon - In early June, we had a workshop with the li-Anthawirriyarra rangers and in mid-June we joined a University of Queensland Introduced Hooved Animal Management Carbon Method workshop (more on this below).

Indigenous Landholder Support Project​

• ICIN has partnered with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) to develop resources for Indigenous organisations to help negotiate carbon project agreements. 

Get in touch with Gen at [email protected] with policy-related questions. 

Wetland management and carbon science workshop, Kwini Country

On June 11, ICIN CEO Anna Boustead joined ICIN Director and Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation Chairwoman Catherine Goonack at a workshop at Kalumburu, on Kwini Country. The purpose of the workshop was to share research findings conducted on Wunambal Gaambera Country by the University of Queensland (UQ) and North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) regarding the impact of cattle on the carbon emissions of wetlands. At the workshop, Anna Boustead presented an overview of the 'Blue Carbon: Opportunities for Indigenous People discussion paper' which links into this method development work where it overlaps with coastal floodplain areas.

Photo caption: Workshop participants and smoking ceremony led by Traditional Owners. 

Celebrating NAIDOC Week in East Arnhem Land 

In 2025, NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. This NAIDOC week, ICIN Full member Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation and Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation took part in blue carbon workshops with ICIN Policy Coordinator Gen Schulz. While on Country, Gen was able to attend their NAIDOC event which included Dhimurru Rangers cooking kangaroo tails and dancing. 

Photo caption: Grace Wunungmurra, Dhimurru Ranger cooking roo tails, dancing and Banula Marika, Dhimurru Director with Gen Schulz/ICIN.

Indigenous carbon industry showcased at major conference 

On June 16th, Members of the Network travelled to Meanjin (Brisbane) to present at the International Congress on Conservation Biology (ICCB), sharing innovative approaches to Indigenous-led carbon projects with conservation professionals from around the world. The Network delivered a symposium titled "Indigenous Carbon Industry Research Updates: For People and Planet," highlighting how Traditional Owners are leading transformative conservation efforts across Australia. 

Photo caption: ICIN Members Sade Popoola from the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) and Bridie Velik-Lord from the Northern Land Council presenting at ICCB. 

• For NSW readers: The NSW Government is offering grants of up to $1 million to start a carbon project, more information here. 
• ILSC's Future Industries Grant Program open now. Grants of up to $50,000 are available to increase Indigenous corporations’ access to independent specialist advice regarding economic opportunities on Country in priority land and water sectors, more information here. 
• On ABC iview, watch 'The Kimberley', a new series featuring inspiring work of ICIN members' Dambimangari AC and Wunambal Gaambera AC. 

Opportunities from the Network:

• Executive & Logistics Coordinator, Warddeken Land Management (Darwin, NT)
• Ranger Coordinator, Bawinanga Homelands Aboriginal Corporation (Maningrida, NT)
• MERI & Program Manager (Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Improvement), Mimal Land Management (Darwin, NT)
• MERI Coordinator (Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Improvement), Warddeken Land Management (Darwin, NT)
• Ranger Teams Manager, Warddeken Land Management (Darwin, NT - with extensive travel)