During National Reconciliation Week in June, Landcare Agriculture’s Biodiversity in Action program joined the MLA Northern Beef 2 (NB2) Indigenous group in Mareeba for a collaborative workshop that placed northern beef businesses, biodiversity and Caring for Country front and centre.
Around 30 Indigenous land managers travelled from across Queensland, representing Country from Delta Downs (Normanton), Mapoon, Bulimba (Chillagoe), Kondaparinga (Mareeba), Badjabulla (Mount Garnet) and Mungalla (Ingham). Many come from families with deep, enduring connections to these landscapes and continue that stewardship today while managing successful beef enterprises that support their communities.
Reflecting the National Reconciliation Week theme, the workshop brought together Indigenous land managers alongside Landcare Ag, Meat & Livestock Australia, DAFF, Accounting for Nature, BushAgri, CSIRO and other partners to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and explore practical approaches to biodiversity management, sustainable grazing and resilient northern beef businesses.
Facilitated by Ian Perkins, the workshop combined classroom discussions with on-Country learning at Kondaparinga, where participants were welcomed with a traditional water ceremony before exploring practical examples of biodiversity monitoring, grazing management and long-term landscape stewardship.
A consistent message throughout the week was that healthy Country, productive landscapes and resilient businesses are inseparable. Participants shared practical examples of improving land condition, managing water and building enterprises that create opportunities for future generations while maintaining strong cultural connections to Country.
“What really stood out to me was the long-term thinking,” said Landcare Agriculture Program Manager Ang Hammond. “These land managers are caring for Country in ways that strengthen biodiversity, support profitable beef businesses and create lasting benefits for their communities and future generations.”
The workshop demonstrated the value of genuine collaboration across Indigenous knowledge, industry, government and science, highlighting how partnerships can support practical, locally led solutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture across northern Australia.
This is exactly where our Biodiversity in Action program has real value. By backing practical work on Country that helps land managers look after biodiversity while building strong, sustainable businesses for the future.
