li-Anthawirriyarra Rangers

Based at Borroloola in the NT, the li-Anthawirriyarra Rangers are partnering with Mangrove scientists from James Cook University in a pilot MangroveWatch project in the Northern Territory (Gulf of Carpentaria), supported by the Territory Natural Resource Management group (TNRM). The Rangers completed 3 days of training in late 2017 in MangroveWatch monitoring methodology in their part of the Gulf of Carpentaria region. After the training workshop, Rangers are continuing with independent surveys using special MangroveWatch kits during 2018. Data collected by the Rangers will be assessed and returned to them by the TropWATER partners.

 Location

Borroloola is on the south western shoreline of the Gulf of Carpentaria, south of the Roper River and the Vanderlin Islands (Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands) in the Northern Territory.

Group Support Base

Northern Territory NRM (TNRM)

Goals

The aim is to give feedback to Territory and local environmental managers and others on the health and condition of shoreline ecosystems in this remote south-western Gulf region. These efforts are part of wider evaluations and monitoring of severe mangrove dieback that occurred in the region in late 2015. The region was heavily impacted as a result of extreme climate conditions at the time.

Early Findings – sharing local knowledge place names

Local knowledge of location names was highly significant as it demonstrates local custodianship and familiarity with place – especially in this relatively remote region. Handwritten local names fill the void across well-used published topographic maps in the Rangers office.

We used Rangers patrol boats for MangroveWatch training in Yawurrangka (Mule Creek) and headed further east along the Warriwiyala coast to South West Island of the Sir Edward Pellew Group of islands.

Gallery Highlights

Get More Information

Contact: mangrovewatch@gmail.com