Mimal Land Management is part of a working group collaborating on research which measures the carbon benefit of managing buffalo and other feral herbivore populations. Hosted by Mimal and ICIN, the Honourable Penny Wensley AC, National Soils Advocate, met with ICIN and Mimal director, Abraham Wesan, and Mimal rangers on June 9.  

Dr Wensley is nationally and internationally recognised for her contribution to environmental policy development, education, and awareness, including as State Governor for Queensland and Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment. In her role as National Soils Advocate, Dr Wensley is raising critical awareness of the importance of soil health at the highest levels of government. 

After widespread culling ceased in the early 1990s, large numbers of buffalo developed throughout Arnhem Land. Together with Mimal rangers, Dr Wensley flew out to the Weemol Spring (400km south-east of Darwin, near Barunga) to observe their work in recovery of the impacts of buffalo. 

Dr Wensley’s trip gave the rangers an opportunity to talk about their land management work, including fire management, feral animal management and weed management. From the air, significant buffalo impacts were observed, including damage to a large permanent waterhole that is also a sacred site to Mimal. Buffalo had muddied the spring and crushed all surrounding vegetation, preventing growth of water lilies and other water plants.

Pictured L-R: Jason Hill, NT Government, Sue Bestow, Senior Advisor to the National Soils Advocate, Alex 'Batman' Ernst, Mimal Land Management, the Honourable Penelope Wensley AC, National Soils Advocate.