A man walks through a smoky woodlands with someone standing in the background in firefighting gear.

Indigenous people & the environment

About

The Fenner School is home to a number of researchers who are making important scholarly contributions to understanding the relationship between Indigenous Australians and the environment. Our research focuses on the historical and contemporary involvement of Indigenous peoples in environmental management, Indigenous peoples’ worldviews of sustainability and the challenge of water scarcity for Indigenous communities in Australia.

Groups

Researchers and collaborators stand in front of a pond at the ANU Campus.

The Mapping for Mob team works with Indigenous organisations to deliver Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software training to over 30 Indigenous professionals around Australia.

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Projects

First Nations people have legal interests to greater than 57% of Australia’s land mass yet their participation in primary industries is minimal. The baseline study addresses several aspects and issues associated with growing First Nations primary production across Australia.

People

  • Prof Peter Yu, First Nations Portfolio - Principal Investigator
  • Mr Russell Barnett - Honorary Associate Professor, First Nations Portfolio
  • Dr Lorrae McArthur - Senior Projects Officer, First Nations Portfolio
  • Mr Brian Stacey, Professor of Practice, First Nations Portfolio
  • Mr Bruce Gorring, Director, National Indigenous Business Development Hub, First…

Researchers undertake projects to study biodiversity and the impacts of fire and invasive animal and plant control on mammals, birds and reptiles inhabiting a range of vegetation types.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

The Centre for Water and Landscape Dynamics (WALD) sits within the Fenner School of Environment & Society, and combines satellite observations, field data and prediction models to measure, monitor and forecast natural hazards, natural resources and the environment.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

This research looks at options for more effective conservation of freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of people and nature.

ANU Fenner School ecologists and a cohort of New South Wales Local Aboriginal Land Councils are joining together on a project to re-introduce cultural burning in box-gum grassy woodlands and to monitor the environmental outcomes of the burns.

In Victoria, Australia, Fenner researchers undertake a range of studies to examine at the environmental impacts of fire, logging, and other factors affecting biodiversity and forest habitats.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

Members

Affiliate

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Emeritus Professor

Image of Bart Meehan

Honorary Lecturer

Image of Jess Weir

Honorary Senior Lecturer

George Wilson

Honorary Professor

Student

Articles

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ANU ecologists and a cohort of New South Wales Local Aboriginal Land Councils are joining together on a project to re-introduce cultural burning in box-gum grassy woodlands and to monitor the environmental outcomes of the burns.

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We are all about wicked problems.

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A tree in a savanna environment on Cape York Peninsula.

A new project seeks to rewrite this period of history – and others – to honour the voices and experiences of Aboriginal people whose contributions to colonial-era expeditions have long been overlooked.

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If a river could speak, what would it tell you? Climb aboard and be prepared to get wet.

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Photo of Dr Virginia Marshall

Four ANU experts warn that Pacific nations are at risk of being left behind in global climate negotiations if they aren’t a focus of the upcoming COP26 summit in Glasgow.

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As winner of the 2021 National Young Landcare Leadership Award, Ms Gilbert intends to use the recognition to help promote caring for country methods passed on by her parents.

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