Indigenous Protected Area

An Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) is an area of Indigenous-owned or managed land or sea voluntarily dedicated to conservation in Australia. It is managed by its Traditional Owners and contributes to the National Reserve System.

Healthy Country Planning: A participatory planning approach that helps Indigenous communities identify priorities and strategies for caring for Country. Many IPA management plans use this approach to set cultural and biodiversity goals.
Indigenous land rights in Australia: The legal and political struggle for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to land in Australia. Land rights provided a foundation for Indigenous communities to govern conservation on their own lands.
Indigenous fire management: The use of Indigenous knowledge and practices to manage fire in landscapes and reduce harmful fire impacts. Planned burning in some IPAs supports biodiversity and protects cultural sites.
National park: A legally designated area managed to conserve natural or cultural values and provide for public enjoyment. Unlike many national parks, an IPA is voluntarily declared by Indigenous owners rather than created solely through government designation.
Indigenous ranger: A worker who undertakes land and sea management, often combining Indigenous knowledge with conservation science. Ranger teams carry out much of the monitoring and practical management in IPAs.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: A national park in the Northern Territory, jointly managed by its Anangu Traditional Owners and the Australian government. Its joint-management history helped shape debates about Indigenous authority in protected-area management.
Threatened species conservation: Actions intended to prevent species at risk of extinction from declining or disappearing. IPA programs can monitor and protect threatened plants and animals across large areas.
Indigenous Land Use Agreement: A voluntary agreement under Australian native title law about the use and management of land or waters. An ILUA is a legal agreement, whereas an IPA is a conservation declaration and management arrangement.
Traditional Owner: An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person or group with customary rights and responsibilities for a particular Country. Traditional Owners hold the authority and responsibilities that underpin IPA governance.
Country Needs People: An Australian campaign supporting Indigenous land and sea management and Indigenous ranger employment. Its advocacy has helped build public and policy support for Indigenous-led conservation.

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