Connection by Fire: Learning from Country at Ngurang Reserve
Connection by Fire brought together cultural fire practice, biodiversity monitoring and community learning at Ngurang Reserve near Rylstone.
Capacity building - LEP_035_LLC
The issue
Ngurang Reserve contains important woodland habitat, including vulnerable Capertee Stringybark (Eucalyptus cannonii) and a diversity of native wildlife. However, many community members had limited opportunities to learn about cultural land management or participate in practices such as cultural burning. At the same time, fuel loads and accumulated leaf litter posed increasing fire risks. Watershed Landcare and the North East Wiradjuri Company identified an opportunity to combine cultural knowledge, ecological monitoring and community involvement to care for Country while building local capacity.
The solution
Watershed Landcare and the NEWco partnered to deliver Connection by Fire, supported by Landcare Australia. The project included wildlife monitoring, vegetation surveys and community learning events. Volunteers helped review wildlife camera footage documenting species such as koalas and antechinus. Cultural burns were conducted in June 2025 following extensive site preparation. The project concluded with a Songline Walk led by Uncle Peter Swain, where participants learned about cultural connections to the landscape.
The impact
Connection by Fire strengthened relationships between Traditional knowledge holders, community members and Landcare volunteers while building understanding of cultural fire practices. The project confirmed the presence of significant wildlife species, including koalas, and documented diverse woodland vegetation. Community members gained hands-on experience preparing and participating in cultural burns and deepened their understanding of caring for Country. The project also established baseline ecological data that will support future monitoring of how vegetation and biodiversity respond to cultural fire.
Learnings
Combining cultural knowledge with community participation created powerful learning experiences for volunteers. Hands-on involvement in site preparation and cultural burning helped build confidence and understanding of fire management. Collaboration with Traditional knowledge holders strengthened trust and created meaningful opportunities for shared learning. The project also highlighted the value of establishing baseline ecological data before land management activities so changes can be monitored over time.
Key facts
- Community partnership between Watershed Landcare and North East Wiradjuri Company
- 2 cultural burns conducted June 2025
- Wildlife cameras confirmed koalas present
- Vegetation surveys documented vulnerable Capertee Stringybark (Eucalyptus cannonii)