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Barapa Barapa Traditional Owners have been working in partnership with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) on the Water for Country project in Gunbower Forest. This project was later expanded to include Wamba Traditional Owners.
First stage of the project
The first stage of this project reconnected Traditional Owners with Country. This project also identified and mapped traditional values and sites of cultural significance in Gunbower Forest.
In September 2015, this project was awarded the prestigious Victorian Landcare accolade, The Indigenous Land Corporation Land Management Award.
Second stage of the project
The second stage of this project focused on preparing a framework for flow objectives and how these will assist in delivering cultural outcomes. As well as providing insight into the development of annual environmental watering priorities for Reedy Lagoon, Gunbower Forest.
Barapa people chose to monitor the site for cultural plants and future watering opportunities by conducting surveys and implementing fish exclusion zones. Through the project, which aims to culturally protect and heal the landscape, 25 Barapa and Wamba people have been employed on Country.
Barapa water for Country video
As part of the project, a short video was created which follows Barapa Barapa and Wamba Wamba people on Country sharing knowledge during Cultural Heritage and Ecology surveys.
The video captures the participants experience and documents their feelings and thoughts toward the project and how it provides further opportunities to educate the community on cultural and ecological values.
Video provided by North Central Catchment Management Authority
An Ecological Knowledge of the Barapa Barapra, Wamba Wemba Nations plant guide, outlining flood regimes, was also produced as part of the project.
The project was run in partnership with the North Central CMA, funded through DEECA's Aboriginal Water Program.
Page last updated: 08/09/23