Birds on Country – Indigenous knowledge and conservation of birds symposium

Charles Sturt University has a long and proud history in ornithological education, which was celebrated in November 2023 when the university served as the major sponsor of the Birds on Country – Indigenous Knowledge and Conservation of Birds Symposium at the 12th Australasian Ornithological Conference. Birds on Country is a dedicated session showcasing Indigenous-led projects focused on bird research and conservation. Indigenous perspectives were well represented throughout the conference, underscoring the relevance of cultural diversity, the integration of different knowledge systems and the pivotal role of First Nations communities in catalysing meaningful, on-ground action across Australia and beyond.

Dr Maggie Watson, Senior Lecturer in Ornithology, who attended the conference, said the Birds on Country symposium highlighted the diverse ways in which communities are connected to birds and how collecting stories can inform better conservation management. “The importance of language was a central theme, as was respecting cultural preferences for sharing certain stories only with certain people. The symposium also provided an opportunity to showcase the valuable and effective work that Aboriginal ranger groups are doing to care for Country.”