Kokatha Pastoral and Arid Recovery have formed a partnership, which will open up new opportunity to care for Country.

At a ceremony at Lake Mary near Roxby Downs on Friday 22 September, Arid Recovery Chief Executive Dr. Katherine Tuft and Kokatha Enterprise Chair Aaron Thomas signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

Arid Recovery is an independent conservation and research organisation running a 123 km2 predator-proof fenced reserve on Kokatha Country just north of Olympic Dam. Arid Recovery’s work supports the recovery of threatened species and arid ecosystems with a world-class science program and community outreach.

Kokatha Pastoral is a sustainable land management business owned and operated by the community to manage three large pastoral leases: Roxby Downs, Andamooka and Purple Downs Stations. Kokatha Pastoral’s purpose is to build the capability of Kokatha people to preserve and sustain country, whilst providing sustainable business opportunities for caring for Country. 

Kokatha Pastoral and Arid Recovery both care deeply about this land and are passionate about building the knowledge and capacity of people to look after this special place. Our shared objectives are:

1. Knowledge: understanding country to care for Country.

2. Education: building people up to care for Country.

3. Good stewardship: good land management for pastoralism and conservation.

Arid Recovery and Kokatha Pastoral will work together to manage threats like feral animals and overgrazing, to monitor and protect the Arcoona Lakes and their important birdlife, and to encourage the return of species that have been missing from much of Kokatha Country like the bilby (Ninu or Wirlda) and the quoll (Idnya).

The Kokatha  Indigenous Ranger program was also launched on Friday 22 September. Indigenous rangers play an extremely important role in managing land because they use traditional knowledge and cultural practices, combined with western science to deliver the best outcomes for Country.

The programs also deliver enormous cultural, social and economic benefits to indigenous people. The Kokatha Ranger Program will contribute to important Kokatha community values of preserving and promoting culture, education, prosperity and health.

The Kokatha Ranger Program will deliver conservation management on the three stations and across the Kokatha native title area. We are excited for this new initiative to build capacity in the Kokatha community and to provide employment opportunities on Country.