Local communities and wetland management: 3 studies available

(posted to the Ramsar Forum, 16 September 1999)

Dear Forum members, 

Here are details of three reports on local communities and wetland management in the northern part (Top End) of the Northern Territory, Australia. These report the results of several collaborative programs undertaken over the past few years.

The first two reports relate to our initial work with the Northern Land Council, the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation and Djelk Community Rangers in Arnhem Land to the east of Kakadu National Park. As such they present information and data that could be useful as the local land owners develop management prescriptions and possibly even a management plan for their wetlands.

The first of these was also used as a case study for the Ramsar-related development of guidelines for involving local communities in wetland management; these were agreed earlier this year at COP7.

The third is a comparison of three communities in the region (from within Kakadu National Park and either side) and their involvement in wetland management. It highlights differences in land management, threats and the availability of resources for wetland management.

A limited number of copies of these reports are available by contacting Abbie Spiers at abbies@eriss.erin.gov.au   and supplying your postal address. (Please do not simply press your 'reply' button.)

We hope you find these documents useful and we would welcome constructive ideas and collaboration as we develop further projects with our partners in these initial activities.

1) Finlayson, Yibarbuk, Thurtell, Storrs & Cooke 1999. Local community management of the Blyth/Liverpool wetlands, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. Supervising Scientist Report 137, Canberra. 19 pp.

2) Thurtell, Finlayson, Yibarbuk & Storrs (collators) (in press). The Blyth/Liverpool wetlands, Arnhem Land, northern Australia: Information for management planning. Supervising Scientist Report 146, Supervising Scientist, Canberra.

3) Finlayson, Thurtell, Storrs, Applegate & Barrow 1998. Local comunities and wetland management in the Australian wet-dry tropics. In WD Williams (ed) Wetlands in a dry land: understanding for management. Environment Australia, Biodiversity Group, Canberra. pp 299-311.

And I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only the authors of the above papers, but many others who helped in compiling the information presented in these papers. This includes the local land owners and representatives of agencies and associations involved in land management in this enticingly wonderful part of Australia. And staff from our institute who have undertaken other survey work in connection with this program. And in advance, anyone who can assist the land owners and ourselves in the future.

Thanks and bye

Max Finlayson
Manager Wetland Ecology & Conservation
ERISS, Locked Bag 2
Jabiru, NT 0886, Australia
work tel 61-(0)8-89799756
work fax 61-(0)8-89792149
mobile 61-(0)418-835239
maxf@eriss.erin.gov.au

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