Flora River Nature Park
Putting Joint Management Into Practice At Flora River Nature Park
The Flora River Nature Park Joint Management Plan is nearing completion and the joint management partners (rangers and Wardaman Traditional Owners) have been putting the Plan’s objectives into practice. Projects include protecting Bush Tea plants and riverine habitats from hot late-dry-season wildfires and installing new signs that tell visitors of the creation story for Flora River and other cultural and visitor information.
For the past two years, the Parks and Wildlife Service has employed Wardaman contract workers through the Flexible Employment Program (FEP). Participants get experience of park ranger work, such as campground maintenance, fire management, including controlled burning, flora and fauna survey, fence construction, weed control and crocodile management programs. Working as a FEP participant has also brought off-park opportunities to Wardaman through contract weed control with the Weeds Division of the Department. They have also featured in a Cane Toad educational video and been involved in survey for Black Rats at Victoria River. A proposed Indigenous Protected Area on Wardaman lands will bring further benefits to both Traditional Owners and the Territory, by creation of a continuous conservation corridor connecting Wardaman land between the Flora River and the eastern Gregory National Park.
The Park’s two long-term Wardaman rangers, Michael Murrimal (four years service) and Freddy Martin (three years) are completing a Certificate Two in Conservation and Land Management, as well as having training in first aid, ChemCert, welding, chainsaw and fire control. Michael and Freddy have also undertaken park management duties in other national parks within the Katherine region to broaden their knowledge of park duties.
Traditional Owners look forward to having their traditional connection to the Park reflected in a new Wardaman name - Giwining.. This process is also under way.