Traditional owners make NatureMap contribution

Hundreds of unique records describing the biodiversity of the Western Desert have been added to WA database NatureMap thanks to Traditional Owners throughout the Pilbara.

Since 2008, Aboriginal ranger groups from across WA’s Western Deserts have collected biodiversity data relating to threatened species and the threats they face, but there has been little inclusion of data collected by traditional owners until now.

Rangelands NRM provided funding support to Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa and Central Desert Native Title Services’ land and community team to provide the foundational and logistical support to the various ranger groups.

Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa environmental strategy and services manager Tristian Cole, said for too long the repository of the State’s biodiversity data had shown a “black hole” over desert country where traditional owners had been busy surveying and collecting data for years.

“It’s fantastic to have Martu and other desert rangers’ work recognised and be able to fill in the (NatureMap) gap,” he said.