Bringing Jagun Back Together
Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Consultation Project
Empowering First Nations Communities to care for their ancestral lands and waters across the Northern Rivers Region
Our Vision for Jagun
Jagun Alliance has successfully secured funding from the Australian Government to initiate a vital consultation process. “Bringing Jagun Back Together” aims to engage Aboriginal organisations, rightsholders, ranger groups, communities, and other stakeholders throughout the Northern Rivers region to explore avenues for attracting future support for critical caring for Country activities through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Protected Areas program.
Jagun Alliance is deeply committed to honouring and supporting the claims of the Bundjalung nation and beyond, acknowledging that the lands of our peoples have never been ceded. We strive to enhance public awareness and recognition of the invaluable role of Aboriginal custodians in caring for and managing land and sea Country.
What is an Indigenous Protected Area?
Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) represent a powerful approach to conservation and caring for Country in Australia. They are defined as areas of land and sea Country that are managed by First Nations groups in accordance with their own objectives, funded through voluntary agreements with the Australian Government.
Beyond their primary role in supporting caring for Country activities, IPAs offer broader socio-economic advantages for local communities. For example, many IPAs report experiencing enhanced empowerment, deeper cultural connection, and improved wellbeing.
IPAs are a significant component of Australia’s National Reserve System, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s biodiversity and natural heritage while delivering social, cultural, and economic benefits for Indigenous communities.
Why a New IPA for the Northern Rivers Region?
Bundjalung Country is a place of exceptional biodiversity, providing essential habitat for many threatened species. It is home to numerous clans and dialect groups who have historically hosted seasonal gatherings within Bundjalung Country and with neighbouring clans such as Yaegl, Gumbayngirr, and Ngarabal to share resources and ensure abundance through cultural practices dedicated to Caring for Country.
“Bringing Jagun Back Together” aims to revitalise and strengthen relationships between First Nations groups of the Northern Rivers to ensure the health of land, water, skies, plants, animals, people and all things that make up Country.
It also seeks to contribute to the protection of essential habitat for many threatened species, including the iconic Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby, Koala, and Swift Parrot, as well as priority species under Threatened Species Action Plans, such as the Southern Pink Underwing Moth and the Smooth Davidson's Plum. It will safeguard four threatened ecological communities, including the Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Eastern Australia.
A Collaborative Approach for Broader Impact
The Northern Rivers region already benefits from two established IPAs, Minyumai and Ngunya Jargoon, along with several active Indigenous ranger and bush regeneration teams. “Bringing Jagun Back Together” IPA aims to collaborate closely with these existing initiatives and other partners. Our objective is to identify and explore lands, places, and community that could form part of a new IPA management plan. This includes developing a growth strategy to engage public and private landholders within the broader IPA landscape planning process.
Our priority will be talking with Native Title Groups, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, and other Aboriginal Organisations across the region. Additionally, engaging with various non-Indigenous stakeholders across the public and private sectors is crucial, as this may lead to significant partnerships or service agreements.
Jagun Alliance's Role in the Consultation Project
Jagun’s role during the consultation project phase will be to coordinate and support the engagement and planning process and undertake project administrating and reporting to the Government funding agency.
Through consultations, Jagun Alliance will seek input from a variety of local Aboriginal organisations on what the governance arrangements should be for the IPA once it is successfully established. The aim will be to ensure a collaborative approach that brings together the collective wisdom and aspirations of various custodian groups to shape how an IPA can help care for Bundjalung Jagun.
Should the IPA proposal successfully lead to the establishment of a new “Bringing Jagun Back Together” IPA, Jagun Alliance's ongoing commitment will be to enable and support Aboriginal custodians throughout the region. This will involve securing funds from the Australian Government’s IPA program and actively seeking additional funds to support the management objectives and community aspirations outlined in the IPA management plan.
Ways to Get Involved
Your involvement is key to the success of this project! We will be actively reaching out to Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs), Prescribed Body Corporate (PBCs), and other key Aboriginal organisations across the Northern Rivers region.
To register your interest, or for more information, please fill out our JotForm via the link below.
Alternatively, you can reach us via email at info@jagunalliance.org.au