listen and learn
Growing food plants for Yindjibarndi Country Patrick Courtney Manager Horticultural Development
Yindjibarndi people and Kings Park staff collect seed in Triodia grassland ecosystems, August 2018. Photo: Luke Sweedman archive
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earning how to grow Australian native food plants through sharing knowledge and research is an important way to keep Indigenous culture alive and ensure these species are restored to Country. Adverse environmental changes drive land degradation, habitat destruction and biodiversity loss, as well as put additional pressure on Indigenous communities through the loss of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and culturally important species. Kings Park is forming enduring links and partnerships with Indigenous peoples of Western Australia through extension programs. A major aim of these programs is to support and enhance the understanding of TEK and culture through science and horticulture programs. Incorporating TEK into science and horticulture is changing the way we understand, communicate and
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Luke Sweedman and Jordan Toner from Kings Park conduct field training, August 2018. Photo: Luke Sweedman archive
mitigate the impact of environmental change on cultural and biological diversity. The Wanggalili Project is a partnership between the Yindjibarndi people, government, non-government organisations and business to preserve culturally significant flora and develop sustainable agriculture. Integrating TEK and propagation practices will develop locally grown native plant products for commercial sale.
For People & Plants | Special Issue | Spring 2021
The role of Kings Park was to provide direction and technical support relating to plant science and horticulture. The Land, Culture and Religion Advisers of the Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation provided guidance for Yindjibarndi conventions when visiting Country before any plant collections were made. Local native plants were collected and assessed as potential products for local communities to use on commercial scale.
