Heal the Rivers

Ngalii-ngaa wala-wala guuriilaa wuuyun-girr 
Ngalii-ngaa nyaagii gaany ba-aarn nguubuugan 
We share old ways into the new 
We need these ways now and for our future 

“Ancient solutions for modern problems, Heal the Rivers brings together Custodians and community for culturally led restoration work on riverbanks, floodplains and wetlands “

Uncle AJ - Cultural Advisor

What is the Heal the Rivers Project? 

Heal the Rivers is a three-year project funded through the Northern Rivers Recovery Resilience Program (NRRRP) to deliver Aboriginal directed and culturally informed catchment management & restoration projects. Heal the Rivers has a focus on restoring riverbanks, wetlands and upper catchment areas, prioritising places and species of cultural significance across the Yarbirri (Tweed), Durrumbul (Brunswick), Baluun (Richmond) and Birrung (Clarence).  

Working together with Local Aboriginal Land Councils and Native Title representatives is a key aspect of Heal the Rivers. This project is more than just environmental restoration; it’s about healing the land, the creeks and rivers as well as the communities connected to them. Only through strong partnerships can we achieve the desired outcomes. 

Key Activities 

• Community Workshops: Engagement with local communities across seven Local Government Areas in the Northern Rivers to prioritise cultural land management and restoration. These workshops will bring together local mob, private landholders, and representatives from government and non-government organisations. 

• River Custodians Team: Establish a dedicated team of at least five full-time Indigenous staff who will lead and manage the restoration activities on the ground. 

• Knowledge Integration: Develop an integrated knowledge platform with partners such as the University of Melbourne and Bush Heritage Australia. This platform will empower decision-making for restoration, flood mitigation, and adaptation. 

• On-Country Work: Identify and carry out on-ground restoration activities in seven priority areas, with the goal of expanding these efforts over time. 

• Support for First Nations Students: Work with local universities and training facilities to provide opportunities for First Nations students to engage with and learn from the project. 

How You Can Be Involved 

Heal the Rivers is a collective effort, and your involvement is welcome. Whether you are a knowledge holder, a community member, or someone interested in the future of our rivers, there are ways to participate: 

• Attend Workshops: Join our community workshops to share your knowledge, learn from others, and help prioritise restoration activities in your area. Heal the Rivers workshops will be held in locations across:  Durrumbul/Brunswick River Catchment; Yarbirri/Tweed River Catchment; Baluun/Richmond River Catchment and Birrung /Clarence River Catchment.  

• Participate as a Landholder:  Register your interest to work with Jagun Alliance and local Custodians to develop a culturally informed Action Plan for your property, creeks, or wetlands, and work with River Custodians to implement key actions. 

• Become a Partner:  Collaboration with Local Aboriginal Land Councils and Native Title representatives are key to ensuring the success of our Heal the Rivers project, alongside education, government and non-government organisations. 

• Work with us: Keep up to date with our job opportunities by following us on our socials (Instagram and Facebook) and our webpage.

For more information or to get involved, please contact us via the JotForm below:

Respecting Cultural Protocols 

Heal the Rivers is committed to respecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights (ICIP). We follow strict protocols to ensure that all cultural knowledge and data shared during the project are protected. Participation is entirely voluntary, and consent is obtained following the principles of Free Prior and Informed Consent. 

All information shared will be kept confidential, and participants have the right to withdraw their knowledge at any time. We are here to collaborate under your cultural authority, ensuring that your knowledge is recognised and applied in a way that respects your rights and traditions.