Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water
Joint Management In Australia's Ramsar Wetlands
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February. It is a day to recognise the long history and cultural knowledge that Traditional Owners bring to caring for Australia's wetlands. This year's theme is 'Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage'.
Australia has 11 Ramsar wetlands jointly managed with Traditional Owners. Joint management means Traditional Owners and governments work together to look after wetlands. They use cultural knowledge and science to protect nature and support cultural connections to Country.
The Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory was the world's first Ramsar site. It was listed in 1974, after Australia signed the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
Cobourg is now part of Garig Gunak Barlu National Park. Arrarrkbi Traditional Owners and the NT Government manage the park.
In 2024, the site celebrated 50 years of joint management, showing a long and successful partnership in caring for the site.
Kakadu National Park is jointly managed with the Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners.
Most members of Kakadu's board of management are Traditional Owners. This helps ensure decisions respect culture.
Rangers use cultural practices such as traditional burning and managing invasive species.
In 2025, Kakadu launched its first Indigenous led Research Strategy to guide research for the next 10 years.
In Victoria, the Barmah Forest Ramsar site is jointly managed with the Yorta Yorta Nation.
Yorta Yorta rangers lead important work such as wetland recovery and pest control.
Cultural values are a focus, including:
Across Australia, joint management helps keep Ramsar wetlands healthy and culturally strong. When Traditional Owners' knowledge works together with conservation, both wetlands and communities benefit.
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/joint-management-australias-ramsar-wetlands
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