A new film released by the Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer on 21 March to mark UN International Day of Forests gives voice to First Nations’ perspectives, connections and concerns around forests and the health of forests on Country.

Developed by Australian and State governments in partnership with Indigenous communities, the film calls for more consideration of traditional knowledge in management of Country. Australia’s forests are recognised and valued for their diverse ecosystems and unique biodiversity, providing a wide range of environmental, economic and cultural benefits. Forests are places with unique cultural and aesthetic values, loved and appreciated by many, and can help mitigate the effects of climate change.

The film highlights the importance of forests to First Nations people, culture and the ecosystems that sustain them, along with some of the threats forests face, including exotic diseases such as phytophthora dieback and myrtle rust.  First Nations people are inextricably linked to Country — healthy Country means healthy people. Exotic pests and pathogens now threaten the health of Country. Exotic pests and pathogens are moving at an increasing rate across the globe and have the potential to impact on cultural and environmental values, threatening the health of forests and interrupting the connection between Country and First Nations people.

First Nations People have lived in Australia for thousands of years, using traditional knowledge such as fire to actively manage the land to keep it thriving and healthy. There is a growing understanding of the use of traditional burning practices in Australia, but little comprehension of traditional knowledge of forest health or biosecurity or the impacts of pests and diseases on cultural values. Our multidisciplinary team, led by senior principal forest pathologist Dr Geoff Pegg and Gumbaynggirr man Aj Perkins, have been working with traditional owners in forest health and biosecurity for almost a decade. This includes training workshops to raise awareness around threats to Country, cross-cultural learning, and bringing western science and traditional knowledge together to improve forest health and environmental biosecurity in Australia. We have built partnerships and outcomes through participatory process with Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, Bunya People’s Aboriginal Corporation, Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council and Gumma Indigenous Protected Area, and Minuyimai LPA.

The film was made in collaboration by the Australian Government (Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), Queensland Government (DAF, DESI), NSW Government (DCCEEW, DPI), Aboriginal Communities and partners in Aotearoa (New Zealand) (Scion and Rotoiti 15).