How Indigenous Protected Areas became a vital way to protect nature in Australia

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: When you think of conservation in Australia, chances are you'll think of a national park. But there's another fast-growing way of conserving land: Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs).

These areas of land or sea Country are voluntarily dedicated by Traditional Owners to protect nature and cultural values and responsibilities. Once dedicated, an IPA becomes part of Australia's National Reserve System—our network of protected areas. To protect the area, Indigenous rangers tackle invasive species and undertake cultural burning and many other tasks.

In 2022, the Australian government signed up to an international pledge to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030. This is one reason why IPAs have grown so rapidly in recent years. In July, 4.7 million hectares (11.6 million acres) of the Simpson Desert was dedicated as the newest protected area—the Pmere Atherre Antenterreme IPA.

Maintaining the success of Indigenous Protected Areas will require long-term funding, strong Indigenous governance and complementary conservation elsewhere. While national parks are established and managed by governments, IPAs are Indigenous-led. After deciding to establish an IPA, Traditional Owners develop a management plan and determine how Country is to be cared for, drawing on Indigenous knowledge and contemporary conservation science.

Caring for Country means looking after plants, animals, water, fire, sacred places and cultural practices as part of an interconnected whole. Declaring an IPA doesn't change existing tenure arrangements. For example, an IPA can cover freehold Indigenous land, land granted under land-rights legislation, Indigenous-held leasehold or pastoral land, Crown land and marine areas.

In 1998, Nantawarrina became Australia's first Indigenous Protected Area. The former pastoral station in South Australia's Flinders Ranges was heavily degraded. Over the following decades, the Nipapanha people worked to restore the land and its biodiversity.