Environmental accounting in the Savanna
In North Queensland, there wasn’t a clear way to measure the environmental health of savanna land, so it was hard to prove the benefits of Traditional Owner management.
Country: Wik Country and Kagu Country
Sector(s): Carbon; Environmental
Creating a new method to measure Savanna land health.
Aak Puul Ngantam rangers worked with experts to collect data on Country to create a new method for measuring the health of savanna Country. This approach can be used to show how cultural land management benefits the environment. It can also support Traditional Owners in accessing carbon and nature markets.
Aak Puul Ngantam Ltd (APN, Cape York) is a company owned by Southern Wik Traditional Owners. Before this project, there was no recorded way to measure the health of savanna land.
Recently, APN Cape York rangers worked with scientific experts to collect data about traditional land management practices near Aurukun in North Queensland. As part of the project, Traditional Owners visited or flew over their Country to share knowledge about the land and how to care for it. APN Cape York Rangers learned how to collect good data and evidence to show the impact of their work.
This data was used to create a new method that has been registered by Accounting for Nature to demonstrate the health of savanna country. This new method focuses more on people checking the land in person, rather than using satellites or computer models.
Now, with this new method, APN Cape York can measure how traditional land management improves the environment. This provides evidence and proof that APN are looking after Country. This can help generate higher prices for carbon credits and helps APN Cape York be prepared for opportunities in the Nature Repair Market.
The project supported APN Cape York’s goal to be a company that makes a real difference and backs up its work with strong evidence. It has helped generate more funding from carbon credits and investment into training programs. This helps build local knowledge and means Traditional Owners can be more involved in project and new market opportunities.
What’s next?
The new Savanna Condition method will be made available for other savanna areas. It will be available through the Accounting for Nature program. APN Cape York will keep building its evidence base to attract investment and grow its impact, also supporting Traditional Owners to care for Country, develop skills, and support long-term sustainability.