Fight Fire With Fire: Indigenous Land Management with Firesticks

A warming and drying climate is connected to the increased frequency, severity and duration of extreme wildfire weather conditions in Australia. 

And in the months leading up to Summer, Australian’s are reminded of bushfire season and advised by government and community organisations to prepare.

Generally, the recommendations are for people who live in bushfire prone areas to prepare their homes and ensuring they have an evacuation plan. But I wanted to find out how our natural spaces are being prepared through appropriate land management.  

So, I reached out to the team at Firesticks, a national Indigenous network that works with communities and organisations to help restore the cultural wellbeing and identity of their country.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Thungutti, Bundjalung and Mualgal man and Lead Fire Practitioner Leeton Lee. Leeton works across Southeast Queensland and brings a wealth of traditional knowledge to this episode on the climate and community benefits of cultural land management.

We had a great conversation discussing Country of Fire, where timed burns are used to improve the health of the land plus how local land management plays a critical role to reduce the risk of bushfires, improve natural areas for endangered animals and when it comes to reforestation, why plant selection is so important.

It was also a personal reminder of the incredible value in Indigenous voices whose traditional knowledge can help us rethink current climate policies and adapt to what is truly suitable for our survival.

I hope you enjoy the episode.

You can learn more about Firesticks through their website, donate or follow them on their socials below:

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This audio was edited by Peter Magill.