Network Update
I write to update the Network on its collective and ongoing efforts to enable and empower Indigenous people to benefit from carbon markets. It has been an exceptionally busy year to date. Thank you to our member organisations, Board Directors, partners, advisors and team members for your generosity, commitment, ongoing input and advice.
On the policy front, consultations are currently underway for the two new Savanna Fire Management (SFM) methods. ICIN has been hosting online workshops to collect feedback from member organisations as well as other Indigenous groups informed by our policy analysis and will circulate a draft submission for your feedback shortly. The Australian Government is also holding consultations on SFM methods in Cairns and Darwin see below.
ICIN members were pleased to meet with the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson MP, recently to communicate concerns about the government’s slowness in actioning legislative change to embed consent rights for Native Title Holders. ICIN has asked the government to commit to a timeframe for actioning legislative change to require carbon proponents to seek Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Native Title holders prior to the registration of a carbon project.
I am excited to welcome Suzanne Munkara to our growing team as ICIN’s Policy Officer. Suzanne is a Tiwi woman, who previously held positions in the Office of Aboriginal Affairs with the NT Government. Suzanne will be supporting our policy team. We also welcome Amanda Lilleyman, who supporting the Savanna Fire Forum and the communications team. Amanda and Suzanne join myself, Tyron, Clare and Amy in supporting the network’s communications, events and policy work.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of our members and partners, contributing to the following projects:
- The First Nations Carbon Farming Outreach Program communications working group
- Carbon and nature repair method development through the policy working group
- Feral ungulate management working group
- The Indigenous Landholder Agreement Making Guide working group
- Blue carbon rights and interests guidance project and associated communication tools
- Planning and programming for the 2026 Savanna Fire Forum and National Indigenous Carbon Forum working group (see below)
Working groups meet online on a regular basis and invitation is via email. If you would like to join a working group but have not received an invitation, please contact me so we can add you to the group.
It was a pleasure to travel to Cairns/Gimuy recently with the team to host a workshop to inform the Blue Carbon and Environmental Markets guidance and we are grateful to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation for its funding support to enable this. Feedback from this workshop will also help inform communication products currently in development to support understanding of blue carbon markets, including an animation video.
As we enter the late dry season and weather is getting very hot and windy, we thank all of our members for your hard work to manage your country, in particular from hot fires.
Anna Boustead.
Tickets now on Sale: 2026 Savanna Fire and National Indigenous Carbon Forums
ICIN is delighted to invite you to the hugely anticipated 2026 Savanna Fire Forum (SFF) and National Indigenous Carbon Forum (NICF). In 2026, the forums will be guided by the theme: 'Strong Roots, Strong Futures'. It is a privilege for ICIN to be hosting these events in the spirit of supporting knowledge sharing, partnerships and collaboration among Indigenous land managers. Registrations are now open, grab your tickets quickly as this event has sold out in previous years. Read more about why these two events have been combined in 2026: https://www.icin.org.au/two_forums_three_days.
ICIN Co-Chairs Cissy Gore-Birch and Dr Dean Yibarbuk were a part of a powerful conversation on how country, culture and carbon are creating meaningful change for communities across North Australia.
Talking blue carbon in Cairns/Gimuy
To inform the development of the Indigenous Blue Carbon and Environmental Markets guide, The ICIN team coordinated a workshop for Indigenous groups in the region about current and future blue carbon and environmental market opportunities recently in Cairns/Gimuy. Big thank you to NAILSMA, The University of Queensland, The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Charles Darwin University & the National Environmental Science Program for supporting and contributing to this important work. Full story below
Registrations open to attend ICIN carbon farming outreach workshop
ICIN is excited to be presenting the “First Nations Carbon Farming 101” workshop at the Territory NRM (TNRM) conference held in Darwin in November. The half-day workshop is open to Indigenous people and organisations and provides an overview of how First Nations people can participate in the Carbon Industry. Please register to attend below.
New Savanna Fire Management Sequestration and Emissions Avoidance Methods
The Government has released the draft of the new Savanna Fire Management sequestration and emissions avoidance method. The draft method is available here. ICIN has engaged Technical Advisor Jarrad Holmes to bring information to members and other Indigenous organisations in the savanna region highlighting key issues for consideration and discussion. Thanks to those who have already attended a consultation.
Further consultation dates include:
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in-person workshop in Cairns, 21 October 2025 - Register here
- DCCEEW’s in-person workshop in Darwin, 23 October 2025 - Register here
- ICIN is hosting a further online consultation with interested Indigenous groups, particularly from the Cape, held on Monday 27 Oct, 10am ACST – 1pm ACST. Invitations have been sent, please reach out to Amanda at [email protected] if you would like to attend and have not yet received an invitation.
Welcoming Suzanne Munkara
ICIN would like to warmly welcome Suzanne Munkara who has recently started in our team as a policy officer. Suzanne is a Tiwi woman from the Wurruntatinga (Sun) clan group of Jikilaruwu (Cape Fourcroy), living on Larrakia Country (Darwin, NT). Suzanne brings with her policy experience in government and research assistant experience at universities. She is excited to be working with ICIN and to support the sustainable economic growth of communities with carbon farming initiatives.
Suzanne can be contacted at: [email protected]
First Nations Unlimited Leadership Summit 11-12 November 2025 - Discounted Tickets Available for ICIN Members
First Nations UNLIMITED is an essential gathering that amplifies the voices, wisdom and leadership of First Nations peoples. This summit will be held in Darwin and serves as a platform for leaders, changemakers and allies to unite, share and learn. It celebrates the vital roles First Nations individuals play as visionaries, advocates, mentors and custodians within their workplaces, communities and on Country. You can read the full program below, if any ICIN members are interested in attending please contact us to secure discounted rates - [email protected].
ICIN Co-Chair Cissy Gore Birch presenting at Biodiversity Conference 28-30 October 2025
The Biodiversity Conference 2025 brings together custodians, researchers and practitioners from across Country, academia, government, industry and community to share knowledge to protect, conserve, and enhance biodiversity. Cissy will be speaking on panel "The good and the bad in Indigenous Stewardship". A panel dedicated to conversations about both the opportunities and the challenges in embedding Indigenous knowledge and authority in conservation and land management. Full program details and registration below.
Upcoming events of interest to our members
- COP 30, Belém, Brazil, 10th-21st Nov
- Territory Natural Resource Management Conference, Larrakia Country (Darwin), 18th Nov
- Savanna Fire & National Indigenous Carbon Forum, Larrakia Country (Darwin), 24-26th Feb
- Nov 7 Improved Fire Management and Ecosystem Services Seminar at Charles Darwin University & Online
- More information here
Get in touch with Tyron at [email protected] if you would like to add your event to the ICIN calendar.