Southern Aurukun Savanna Burning Project

The Southern Aurukun Savanna Burning Project combines traditional knowledge — how to read country and knowing when to burn — with high-tech hardware — helicopters, fireballs and leaf blowers — to ensure traditional patchwork burning is restored in the right way and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions  are reduced on Wik and Kugu country.

The project is carried out by the Rangers at Aak Puul Ngantam Cape York (APN Cape York). ‘Aak Puul Ngantam’ means “our father’s father’s country” and refers directly to ancestral homelands. APN Cape York is a not-for-profit, and registered charity organisation. All funds from the carbon project are reinvested back into operations, capacity building and infrastructure development.

Greenhouse gases emitted from savanna fires make up 3% of Australia’s total emissions. Savanna burning projects undertaken by Traditional Owners and Aboriginal rangers reduce GHG emissions by undertaking cool, lower intensity fires in the early dry season when the vegetation still contains some moisture from the wet season. This reduces the GHG emitted from high intensity, unmanaged fire in the late dry season when the country is dry.

The project delivers co-benefits to country, including revitalising the connection to country for the community, employing new trainee rangers who are Traditional Owners, and supporting a camp for Year 6 students of Aurukun School.