Exploring settler perspectives and engagements with cultural land management initiatives and its implications for working together on bushfire management

Preparing for and mitigating the impacts of bushfires for a future of uncertainty presents a complex socioecological problem for both Indigenous and settler communities and agencies across south-east Australia. Collaboration between settler and Indigenous people and institutions will be critical for 
developing sustainable, place-based and holistic landscape bushfire management in the future.

This research will gain insights into challenges and opportunities for cross-cultural fire management collaborations in East Gippsland and beyond by exploring the perspectives and experiences of settler landholders' who have engaged in Indigenous fire management practices.

This project will support existing research into potential pathways for more inclusive and sustainable fire management strategies that include and centre Indigenous knowledge-holders as leaders, fostering collaboration between Indigenous communities and settler landholders.