The Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Science Project
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About the project
The Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Science Project (KISSP, 2016-2017) is a ground-breaking initiative managed by a working group comprised of representatives from seven Kimberley saltwater peoples:
The project is funded by the Western Australian Marine Science Institute (WASMI) and is supported by an experienced multidisciplinary research team:
Learn more about the project here Developing a new research protocol for Kimberley Saltwater Country Gina's research role involves the development of a revised research protocol that aims to address shortfalls in the existing process, enable more collaborative outcomes and provide some consistency to researchers embarking on Kimberley coastal and marine research projects. Taking the form of a (draft) guide for researchers and associated forms, it will be made available through supporting Indigenous, university and departmental websites in late 2017. Learn more about the protocol here |
Creating a marine monitoring leaning package for Indigenous Rangers
Gina also developed a learning package around a marine monitoring technique selected by working group members. Acting as a pilot for future learning packages, it will:
Project management Working closely with project leaders (Dean Mathews of Yawuru, Daniel Oades of Bardi Jawi and Albert Wiggan of Nyul Nyul), Mosaic Environmental provides ongoing project management support to the KISSP group. Gina's roles include:
Have a look at an example of collaborative research practice involving Indigenous and western science partners, which we have come across during our work on this project: |
Indigenous Fire and Weed Management in the Lower Gulf
Traditional Knowledge and Best Practice
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Gina worked closely with staff from the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation for several months in 2014 in support of their innovative project, Indigenous Fire and Weed Management in the Lower Gulf - Traditional Knowledge and Best Practice. This is a large and multifaceted project which spans across 68,000 square kilometres of the lower Gulf of Carpentaria.
Through the project, Indigenous knowledge and best practice fire science complement each other to protect and enhance landscape values, manage land more effectively and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
The Gangalidda Garawa Rangers using the Cybertracker sequence in the field (photo courtesy of the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation)
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Moreover it strengthens the long-term capacity of local Indigenous rangers to deliver vital environmental services across vast areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory. It is funded by the Australian Government Biodiversity Fund's Northern Australian Targeted Investment 2013-14.
Gina's role focused on supporting the Gangalidda and Garawa Indigenous Ranger groups in their fire management practices. More specifically, her tasks were fourfold: 1) Analysis of existing fire and vegetation monitoring data and recommendations based on findings; 2) Design of a refined fire monitoring system compatible with digital I-tracker software and hardware; 3) Development of spatial datasets as the basis for a new interactive open web mapping platform; and 4) Provision of mapping and data support to Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation's Land and Sea Management staff Learn more about the project here |
Gina approaches her work in a professional, culturally appropriate and no nonsense manner,
which always produces an outstanding result.
She has excellent knowledge of fire management and ecology. I highly recommend her for any ecology related work.
Peter Barker, Senior Project Officer
Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection