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The Conversation
The Conversation
Elle Bowd, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University

Colonisation cleared 95% of these woodlands – Indigenous cultural burning is bringing it back

For millennia, First Nations people have shaped Australian ecosystems through the purposeful and skilful use of fire. This cultural burning is an important way for Aboriginal people to connect to and care for Country.

Under climate change, Earth is experiencing more frequent and severe bushfires. This has prompted a rethink of Western approaches to fire management, and triggered the development of cultural burning programs supported by government agencies.

At the same time, First Nations people have been calling to revitalise cultural burning as part of a generations-long pursuit of self-determination.

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