You are here: Home > Protected areas > Aboriginal joint management of parks > Potential benefits of Aboriginal joint management

Potential benefits of Aboriginal joint management

For Aboriginal people with a cultural association with a park

• recognition of cultural association with the land or traditional ownership
• opportunity to sustain spiritual and cultural activities
• participation in park management decision making
• protection of cultural sites and heritage
• opportunity to educate people about Aboriginal culture and contribute to reconciliation
• training and employment opportunities.

For the NPWS

• opportunity to protect and interpret cultural heritage and recognise cultural and historic dimension to conservation
• opportunity to access and apply Aboriginal knowledge in land management and the conservation of cultural and natural values
• contribution to reconciliation.

For biodiversity conservation

• recognition of the cultural values associated with the park's biodiversity
• improved protection and management of biodiversity values through application of Aboriginal knowledge and practices

For park visitors

• appreciation of the cultural values of the park
• opportunity to communicate with Aboriginal owners and/or employees
• participation in the process of reconciliation.

From Smyth D , 'Joint management of national parks' in Baker R, Davies J & Young E (eds) 2001, Working on country: contemporary indigenous management of Australia's lands and coastal regions, Oxford University Press.