The map pins below show where the project has funded and supported ranger teams and project partners to put in right-way fire. Right-way fire means burning is occurring on-country at the right time of year when weather conditions ensure that fires are small, patchy, low intensity, and are scattered throughout the landscape using traditional Indigenous and contemporary fire methods. This includes the use of incendiary machines from helicopters and on-ground techniques. For more information on our fire project click here.
| Right Way Fire Trips | |
|---|---|
| Durba Hills, WA (2019) | View details |
| Well 33, WA (2019) | View details |
| Kiwirrkurra, WA (2019) | View details |
| Mt Bennett, NT (2019) | |
| Dragon Tree Soak, WA (2019) | View details |
| Oak Valley, SA (2019) | View details |
| Tallararra, NT (2019) | View details |
| Katiti-Petermann IPA, NT (2019) | |
| Mangalawarru, NT (2019) | View details |
| Ngurrara, WA (May 2020) | View details |
| Ngurrara, WA (June 2020) | |
| Karlantijpa, NT (2020) | |
| Durba Hills, WA (2020) | View details |
| Kiwirrkurra, WA (2020) | View details |
| Ngurrara, WA (July 2020) | |
| Eagle Bore, WA (2020) | View details |
| Katjarra, WA (2020) | View details |
| Watarrka, NT (2020) | View details |
10DP supported the KJ rangers to conduct aerial burning around the ecologically and culturally important Durba Hills. Here, the fire management that has been implemented by KJ since 2009 is delivering clear benefits, with smaller average fire sizes, reductions in the extent of destructive summer wildfires, and a higher diversity of seral stages available in the landscape.
10DP supported the KJ rangers to conduct aerial burning around Well 33/Kunawarritji in May 2019.
Kiwirrkurra IPA
Five burning flights were conducted over three days in priority management areas on the Kiwirrkurra IPA in May 2019. Rangers gained invaluable experience and were able to put therei recent training into action and gain more confidence using the R3 incendiary machine. The ranger team also gained valuable knowledge about the country and current state of flammability of the areas they flew over.
Karajarri / Ngurrara Rangers
The Karajarri and Ngurrara Rangers came together on Karajarri country to complete fire walks and visit Jila sites over 2 days in June 2019. Getting Rangers on the ground walking and burning desert was also a priority coming from Karajarri Traditional Owners. Rangers were happy with the outcomes achieved and firework went as planned.
Oak Valley Rangers
In June 2019, a burning trip was undertaken by Oak Valley and Tjuntjunjara ranger teams, elders from both communities, and support staff. The trip involved both ground-based burning and the use of a helicopter. The overriding aim of the trip was to pass authority from Elders who walked and lived traditionally in Maralinga Tjarutja country to the current generation of Oak Valley rangers to manage country.
CLC
Over 20 rangers and Traditional Owners headed out to the Lake Mackay Aboriginal Land Trust for this week long burning trip. While the plan was to use an aerial incendiary machine for burning operations, when the machine broke down the group had to be flexible. Instead they used the helicopter to land in areas they selected by looking at satelitte maps and then burnt from the ground using matches and drip torches, before flying on to the next patch. "Many plants and animals need fire to regenerate. Because people are not living on country anymore we need to go out and look after country with fire" - Christine Michaels Ellis (Ranger)
Aerial burning was conducted as part of an Incendiary Machine Operator course run in July 2019. 7 students (4 men and 3 women) attended the training from 2 different ranger teams.
Ngurrara Rangers
10DP supported multiple burning trips burning around Kuduarra (Well 46) on the Canning Stock Route between May and July 2020. These trips have invovled both aerial and ground burning operations, as the rangers work to put in small patchy fire scars and diversify vegetation ages throughout the landscape. This area will continue to be a focus of 10DP supported burning operations over the coming years.
KJ
10DP supported the KJ rangers to conduct aerial burning around the ecologically and culturally important Durba Hills. Here, the fire management that has been implemented by KJ since 2009 is delivering clear benefits, with smaller average fire sizes, reductions in the extent of destructive summer wildfires, and a higher diversity of seral stages available in the landscape.
Kiwirrkurra IPA
This trip involved aerial burning in remote, inaccessible priority management areas of the Kiwirrkurra IPA. It also provided valuable one-on-one training in using the incendiary machine for a senior Kiwirrkurra Ranger, introduced aerial burning to a younger ranger with no previous experience with aerial incendiary burning and allowed numerous Traditional Owners to view their country (and size of previous wildfires) from the air and visit sites they had never previously seen.
Gareth Catt/10DP
This trip undertook aerial incendiary fire management priority works from a helicopter and ground burning over a 5-day period in the East side region of the Birriliburu IPA. This work prioritised the reduction of fuel loads, increasing the diversity of fuel ages and protection of cultural sites and areas of ecological significance.
Gareth Catt/10DP
This trip involved aerial and ground burning in the Katjarra Priority Management Zone and broader Katjarra region of the Birriliburu IPA.
SA Bushfire Solutions
Aerial burning was conducted as part of an Incendiary Machine Operator course run in August 2020. 4000 incendiaries were dropped to create a patchwork of small fires totalling a burnt area of approximately 1020 ha.
Project Partner
The Alinytjara Wiluṟara Landscape Board is a regional natural resource management body in South Australia’s north-west headed by an Indigenous board. Staffing is provided through the South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources under a service level agreement.
The Alinytjara Wiluṟara Landscape Board will support Traditional Owners in its area to engage with the project in developing ranger teams, fire and feral camel management and buffel grass control as well as accessing training and other project activities.
Project Partner
Desert Support Services (DSS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Desert Native Title Services – a statutory native title representative body that works with native title claimants and holding organisations (Prescribed Bodies Corporates or PBCs) across the Western Australian desert region. It assists with leveraging native title rights to generate income and employment opportunities, the development of community and land management programs and the provision of corporate services to PBCs and other client organisations.
DSS will manage the 10 Deserts Project as well as support traditional owners in its area to engage with the project in supporting cultural and ecological knowledge, tourism, fire and feral camel management and other project activities.
Project Partner
The Central Land Council (CLC) is a Commonwealth corporate entity under the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976 and a Native Title Representative Body under the Native Title Act 1993 covering the entire southern half of the Northern Territory – an area of some 780,000kms.
CLC will support Traditional Owners in its area to engage with the project in supporting cultural and ecological knowledge, fire and feral camel management and other project activities. CLC will also manage the regional fire management project activity on behalf of the project.
Project Partner
Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) is an incorporated network of Indigenous land management organisations that work in the project area enabling rangers to speak with one strong voice for the desert. The IDA aims to support the capacity of Indigenous land managers in sharing information and innovation, developing regionally significant collaborative projects and advocating for investment in the desert region.
The IDA will manage the capacity building project activities on behalf of the project including the annual IDA forum, on-country training for rangers, and national and overseas visits to Indigenous ranger groups. Longer term it is expected that the IDA will take-over managing the project from DSS and be a strong authoritative and representative voice for Indigenous land management in the desert.
Project Partner
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) is a Martu organisation working in the Western Desert neighbouring BHPs Pilbara iron ore operations. KJ works to support Martu culture and heritage, build sustainable communities and provide healthy pathways for their young people.
KJ will support Martu in its area to engage with the project in supporting cultural and ecological knowledge, fire and feral camel management and other project activities. KJ will lead the feral camel management project activities on behalf of the project.
Project Partner
The Kimberley Land Council (KLC) is the peak Indigenous body in the Kimberley region working with Aboriginal people to secure native title recognition, conduct conservation and land management activities and develop cultural business enterprises.
KLC will support Traditional Owners in its area to engage with the project in supporting cultural and ecological knowledge, tourism, fire and feral camel management and other project activities. The project will also utilise KLCs experience in the development of new revenue streams from carbon credits and co-benefits.
Project Partner
Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation (NWAC) is the Prescribed Body Corporate holding and managing the native title rights and interests for the Nyangumarta people. NWAC will work with traditional owners in its area to engage with the project in supporting cultural and ecological knowledge, tourism, fire and feral camel management and other project activities.
Project Partner
Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation looks after Ngurrara Country in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation was established to manage approximately 77, 595 square kilometres of exclusive possession native title.
Since it was first set up, Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation has been striving to develop a range of business initiatives for Ngurrara people.
Conservation Partner
Arid Lands Environment Centre Inc. (ALEC) is central Australia’s own environmental organisation. Founded in 1980, ALEC is a strong and trusted voice for the conservation and responsible management of the land, water and natural resources of arid Australia. ALECs vision is ‘healthy futures for arid lands and people’ which drives the vast array of activities it undertakes to achieve it.
ALEC will coordinate the buffel free Great Victoria Desert project activity as well as assist with engaging stakeholders alongside the annual IDA forums.
Conservation Partner
The Country Needs People campaign is a growing group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians calling on decision makers to:
Conservation Partner
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organisation dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, TNC focusses on getting things done efficiently and with the greatest positive impact for conservation. TNC is a trusted organisation working in 72 countries on innovative solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.
TNC will support the project with advice and assistance on diversified funding, international ranger exchanges, communications and stakeholder networking.
Conservation Partner
Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew) is a global, independent non-government organisation. Pew works to protect our shared environment, encourage responsive government, support scientific research, and improve civic life. Pew’s ‘Outback to Oceans’ program in Australia aims to secure protection and good management for all areas of high conservation value in the Australian Outback.
Pew will support the project with advice and assistance on national and overseas ranger visits, national and global communications and introductions to stakeholders.
The BHP Foundation is working to address some of the most critical global sustainable development challenges of our time. In partnership with others, we’re seeking to raise the bar, find new solutions and set new standards. With many of the world’s most precious landscapes and natural ecosystems – and the livelihoods and culture of those who depend on them – at risk, Environmental Resilience is one of our global ambitions. Through projects like 10 Deserts, we’re seeking to empower people to sustainably manage the natural environment for the benefit for future generations.