About the Partnership
In 2024, Landcare Australia and Steadfast Group announced their second partnership, providing $55,000 in funding to support the Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation’s Itjumatj Woka ‘Healthy Country Project’ in Wangaratta, Victoria, which has delivered meaningful environmental, Cultural, and social outcomes.
The grant supported the development, planning and conducting of two Cultural burn workshops and Covram app training for Bangerang Ngalan Bitja Rangers and local landcare members in native vegetation condition assessment and monitoring. This project helped increase the capacity of the Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation, creating employment opportunities for local First Nations people in caring for Country.
Steadfast employees also got involved through corporate volunteering, which further deepened the impact, fostering environmental awareness and community engagement. The partnership exemplifies reconciliation in action, built on mutual respect, genuine collaboration, and shared purpose. It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing both organisations’ commitment to sustainable and inclusive practices.
By supporting First Nations-led land management and facilitating knowledge exchange, this partnership has laid a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration, capacity building, and caring for Country. The success of the Itjumatj Woka project highlights the power of partnerships in achieving lasting change for people and the environment.
Bangerang Ngalan Bitja (Our Fire) Rangers and members of the Warby Range Landcare Group at a cultural burn on a Landcare member’s property at Wangaratta South.
Project Overview
The Itjumatj Woka – Healthy Country Project was a partnership between Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation and Warby Range Landcare Group. The project involved Bangerang Traditional Owners working with Landcare members to plan, prepare for and conduct Cultural burns on member properties. Bangerang Ngalan Bitja (Our Fire) Rangers completed additional land management works including fencing and weed control works to improve the health of Country.
The project supported training for Bangerang Ngalan Bitja Rangers and Landcare members in using Covram – a mobile app for native vegetation assessment and monitoring. Covram was used to undertake project site assessments prior to Cultural burns, capturing information including vegetation condition, habitat, Cultural heritage and management information. This will support ongoing monitoring to ensure land management activities such as Cultural burns are having the desired outcome. Covram has been used alongside Traditional Knowledge as a tool to teach the younger generation about reading Country and caring for Country.
“This project has been a great opportunity for Bangerang people and Landcare members to work together to care for Country. It builds on the 30-year partnership between Bangerang and the Warby Range Landcare Group – a genuine example of reconciliation in action.” Will Ford, Land & Water Project Manager, Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation
Environmental outcomes
Cultural Burns supported habitat regeneration and bushfire preparedness
Two Cultural burns were completed as part of this project:
- The first burn was undertaken in an ephemeral wetland ecosystem where there was a build-up of Swamp Wallaby Grass and Rushes. The burn cleaned up the biomass and provided space for smaller plants, such as native herbs, to grow. The burn increased protection of the large old trees in the event of bushfire in the coming seasons.
- The second burn was undertaken in a Grassy Woodland ecosystem where there was a build-up of the weed Paspalum and fine fuels. This burn had to be undertaken very carefully to protect vulnerable trees and habitat logs. The burn was completed successfully and cleaned up the weeds and fine fuel biomass, providing space for native lilies and orchids to regenerate in spring. The burn also supported bushfire mitigation in the area.
Weed control supported burns outcomes and further increased habitat value
The Bangerang Ngalan Bitja Rangers undertook woody weed control to improve the condition of these sites with species targeted including Blackberry, Broad-leaf Privet, Olive and Bridal Creeper. This work, combined with the burns, will support natural regeneration, increasing the habitat values of these areas.
Authentic collaboration resulted in positive social and community outcomes
Beyond environmental outcomes, the project provided important community and social benefits, supporting the partnership between Bangerang and the Warby Range Landcare Group, which has been going for over 30 years. The project provided an opportunity to care for Country together, as well as developing new friendships, yarning and sharing knowledge – a great example of reconciliation in action.
Project participants acquired new knowledge and skills
The training and burns provided opportunities for young Bangerang Ngalan Bitja Rangers to gain employment experience in caring for Country and improve their skills and knowledge in this area. Landcare members also learned more about Traditional land management including Cultural burns and how these can be implemented in the contemporary context.