Working on country: a case study of unusual environmental program success

Mackie, Kathleen; Meacheam, David

doi:10.1080/14486563.2015.1094752

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This ‘proof of concept’ study contributes to the evidence on the broader benefits of Ranger programs. Economic and biodiversity benefits of Ranger work have been well-established [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. This ‘proof of concept’ study provides novel quantitative evidence on the potential health and wellbeing benefits of participation in a Ranger program.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Ranger programs are often facilitated by Land Councils and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led organizations. The programs have generated employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and have improved biodiversity and land management outcomes [ 8 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. There is also evidence indicating that participation in Ranger programs has economic benefits [ 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Associations between Participation in a Ranger Program and Health and Wellbeing Outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Central Australia: A Proof of Concept Study

Jones

Thurber

Wright

et al. 2018

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Culture can be viewed as an integral part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing. This study explores the association between caring for country, through participation in a Ranger program, and wellbeing. We analyzed cross-sectional data collected in Central Australia in 2017, comparing health and wellbeing (life satisfaction, general health, psychological wellbeing and family wellbeing) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples employed as Rangers (n = 43) versus not employed as Rangers (n = 160). We tested if any differences in outcomes were explained by differences in key demographic or health factors. Ranger participation was significantly associated with very high life satisfaction (PR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.20) and high family wellbeing (PR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.90); associations remained significant after individual adjustment for education, income, employment, health risk factors and health conditions. The magnitude and direction of associations were similar for very good general health, but results were not significant. We did not identify an association between Ranger participation and psychological wellbeing. While based on a small sample, these findings support the assertion that participation in the Ranger program is associated with positive health and wellbeing outcomes. This supports the continuation of cultural participation and practice through the Ranger program and has implications for funding, program and policy development.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between Participation in a Ranger Program and Health and Wellbeing Outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Central Australia: A Proof of Concept Study

Jones

Thurber

Wright

et al. 2018

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Nonetheless, many articles emphasized the opportunities, or cobenefits, of indigenous guardian programs for indigenous-led outcomes, such as addressing intergenerational trauma, language, and culture (Holmes & Jampijinpa 2013;Muller 2014); improving health outcomes and clinical indicators (Mackie & Meacheam 2016); and supporting indigenous presence and use of country (Pyke et al 2018). One article from the United States, for example, speaks to the process of land reclamation as an act of healing: "…to reclaim stolen lands are not solely political projects…but means for healing intergenerational trauma" (Carroll 2014:38).…”

Section: Emergence Of Indigenous Guardians In the Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Indigenous guardians as an emerging approach to indigenous environmental governance

Reed

Brunet

Longboat

et al. 2020

Conservation Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Over the past 3 decades, indigenous guardian programs (also known as indigenous rangers or watchmen) have emerged as an institution for indigenous governments to engage in collaborative environmental governance. Using a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature for research conducted in Australia, Canada, Aotearoa-New Zealand, and the United States, we sought to characterize the emergence of indigenous guardians in the literature and explore whether guardian approaches are representative of Indigenous approaches to environmental governance. Using a multistep relevance-screening method, we reviewed 83 articles published since 1995, that report on, critique, or comment on Indigenous guardians. Our findings indicated that most articles on the topic were published in the last decade (88%), focused on Australia (65%), and were in a social science discipline (53%). The lead author of the majority of articles was an academic, although only half of the articles included an indigenous scholar or member of an indigenous group or organization as a coauthor. Finally, 11 articles were on research of guardian programs that were locally led and only 5 exemplified indigenous governance, based on 2 well-known community-based monitoring typologies. Our findings indicate that more research is required to understand the implications of current guardian programs for indigenous self-determination, particularly when such programs are embedded in a broader western environmental governance structure.

show abstract

“…This contrasts with recent trends of partisan politics that translate into ongoing budget reductions for 'caring for land', as well as a lack of continuity of expertise in agencies, and a lack of the financial continuity and sustained efforts that are needed to obtain systemic benefits from these investments. Another good example is the Indigenous Rangers Program (Mackie and Meacheam 2016), which still has bipartisan support, but there are many others such as those noted in the Boxes herein. (iii) Establish a dedicated Drylands Information Hub to consolidate Australian expertise and knowledges in drylands, as a go-to source for interested overseas governments and prospective business partners.…”

Section: Why Reverse This Trend?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Commentary: on the under-valuing of Australia’s expertise in drylands research and practice globally

Metternicht

Smith

2020

Rangel. J.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Global drylands are a significant driver of earth system processes that affect the world's common resources such as the climate. Their peoples are also among the first to be widely affected by global changes such as land degradation and climate change. Yet drylands are a source of many social and technical innovations, globally, as well as in Australia. As a major developed dryland nation, Australia has previously played a major role in extending these innovations to the rest of the world. The nation has reaped reputational and commercial benefits through major research and practice contributions to dryland agriculture, water management and governance, remote area services, indigenous partnerships, dryland monitoring systems, and 'desert knowledge' innovation. Australian researchers continue to contribute to various relevant international processes, yet recognition and support for this within Australia has dropped off markedly in recent years. We analyse the Australian government's investment in research and in overseas aid for drylands over the last two decades, and explore trends in government's active involvement in major international processes related to land. These trends are shortsighted , overlooking potential economic benefits for Australian enterprises, and undermining Australia's stance and scientific leadership in dryland systems globally. In this commentary, we argue that it is time for the trends to be reversed, as this is an area of comparative advantage for Australian diplomacy with significant returns on investment for Australia, both direct and indirect, especially when most emerging economies contain substantial drylands. We identify four major pathways to obtaining benefits from science diplomacy, and four interrelated actions within Australia to enable these-to place a higher emphasis on science diplomacy, to re-forge a bipartisan recognition of Australian drylands expertise, to establish a dedicated Dryland Information Hub, and to create a network of relevant science and technology advisors.

show abstract

Working on country: a case study of unusual environmental program success

Cited by 17 publications

References 11 publications

Associations between Participation in a Ranger Program and Health and Wellbeing Outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Central Australia: A Proof of Concept Study

Associations between Participation in a Ranger Program and Health and Wellbeing Outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Central Australia: A Proof of Concept Study

Indigenous guardians as an emerging approach to indigenous environmental governance

Commentary: on the under-valuing of Australia’s expertise in drylands research and practice globally

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About