Healing country together: A seagrass restoration case study from Gathaagudu (Shark Bay)

Abstract

Ecological restoration is a key part of the global solution to help repair damaged ecosystems and moderate climate change. However, there are enormous challenges to contemporary restoration. Solutions that integrate western science and traditional ecological knowledge offer great opportunities to overcome these challenges. Partnerships with Indigenous Ranger programs can assist with solutions to some of the age-old restoration challenges. Managing and caring for a living and dynamic Country is at the heart of wellbeing for all Indigenous Peoples. The act of participating in restoration activities On Country assists with connecting to Country, healing people and Country. We describe the development of a successful partnership between western science and Indigenous traditional knowledge via a collaborative Malgana Aboriginal Corporation Ranger program that included On Country workshop-based knowledge sharing in north-west Western Australia, with a focus on seagrass restoration. Field-based restoration workshops helped people reconnect with Country through two-way knowledge sharing. Additional benefits of the partnership included education and preservation of Malgana language, educating western scientists and general public about Malgana culture, and adapting and field trialling seagrass restoration methods for Gathaagudu. Restoration can be successfully implemented through partnerships that share western science and traditional ecological knowledge.