Learn more: Banbai Rangers

The Wattleridge Indigenous Protected Area covers 650 hectares of woodlands and forests on granite soils, home to an amazing diversity of plants and animals. The Banbai nation are the traditional owners of this country and fire is an important part of their way of life. Wattleridge was the first Indigenous Protected Area to be declared in New South Wales.

The members of the Banbai Nation would like to welcome you to learn about our country. This land was walked upon, played upon & hunted upon by our ancestors. As an act of remembrance, honour and loyalty to our ancestors, we ask that you take a moment to remember them.

Our vision for our country is that it is self-sustaining for future generations where our children learn cultural values (such as bush tucker and traditional practices) and understand what healthy country means. Our country is a meeting place for family and community gatherings where knowledge is shared and what we see now, generations will see in the future. Healthy country, healthy people and healthy waterways will make our country self-sustaining.

This fire and seasons calendar is part of a PhD research project undertaken – in collaboration with the Banbai traditional owners of Wattleridge- by Michelle McKemey (University of New England), under the supervision of Dr Emilie Ens, Mr Oliver Costello, Prof Nick Reid, Dr John Hunter & Dr Mal Ridges.

The Wattleridge Fire and Seasons Calendar is supported by the Firesticks project, Banbai Enterprise Development Aboriginal Corporation, University of New England, School of Environment and Rural Science, Rural Fire Service Association, Rural Fire Service, and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services (through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program).

Witness the brilliant work of Indigenous rangers at some of the Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) in North Eastern NSW: