Cultural burns have begun south of Narooma in the Murrah Flora Reserve and were expected to continue throughout August.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will support the series of cultural burns alongside Aboriginal fire practitioners from Moruya to Bega.
The Murrah Flora Reserve encompasses four areas at Murrah, Mumbulla, Bermagui and Tanja.
NPWS area manager Paula Tomkins said the work was a collaboration with Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation members who started the burns on Monday, July 26.
"These cultural burns not only benefit the biodiversity in the flora reserves south of Narooma, but also support Aboriginal community engagement in caring for country," Ms Tomkins said.
"The small, low-intensity cultural burns will occur throughout July and August at Nutleys Creek, Mountain Fire Trail, Darby Trail and Vimmy Ridge.
"These burns continue the work of the Murrah Flora Reserves Cultural Burning Project that includes NPWS, Biamanga National Park Board members and community members from Moruya to Bega.
"We're looking forward to undertaking this burn with 10 young Aboriginal people who recently completed training through the NSW Police Force, Caring for Country Aboriginal Youth Project.
Ms Tomkins said cultural burns have been practised for thousands of years and provide an opportunity for elders to share traditional fire practices with younger generations.
"Cultural burns also reduce fuel loads to help prevent the potential spread of wildfire, spark plant germination, suppress weeds and reinvigorate the landscape," Ms Tomkins said.
Firesticks Alliance Regional Coordinator, Dan Morgan, explained that the development of collaborative knowledge and partnerships to care for country has many benefits.
"It is the start of a holistic journey, we pay respects to all those involved and extend the invitation to those who would like to walk this journey with us well into the future," Mr Morgan said.
"It's a great chance for communities to work together and is often a healing process for both the people and the land."
NPWS thanked the Aboriginal fire practitioners taking part in the cultural burns, Biamanga National Park Board members and members of the Firesticks Alliance, an organisation dedicated to building recognition of cultural practice and knowledge.
To find out more about the Murrah Flora Reserves and cultural burning, visit the NPWS website.