356 Monitoring Threatened Species and Ecological Communities
they live in and what food they thrive for like kangaroo grasses, truff les. We
can now use these techniques within our organisation/ranger group.’ Penny
Bong, Girringun Rangers.Developing locally meaningful approaches to scientific data collection (i.e. by
using a colour-coded system instead of a number/word based one, or using
Indigenous traditional nomenclature during surveys; Hoffmann et al. 2012;
Gillespie et al. 2015) increases project value for all partners. For example,
CyberTracker is a data collection tool often used by Ranger groups that uses
images, sounds or different languages to help bridge cultural and literacy
differences (Ens 2012). Developing monitoring programs in association with
Ranger groups clarifies what methods would best suit all project partners.
Support pathways to improved management
Effective engagement with Indigenous groups can catalyse improved management
of threatened species. The Kimberley rock-wallaby project raised awareness of
threats; some Ranger groups now conduct protective burns around rock-wallaby
habitat to reduce the risk of large wildfires. Another Ranger group is developing
their own monitoring program for rock-wallaby populations to detect changes in
response to fire. Also in the Kimberley, WWF works collaboratively with several
Indigenous Ranger groups to implement fire management that incorporates
traditional burning practices. Rangers use Gouldian finches Erythrura gouldiae as
an indicator of success of their fire management, because these birds disappear
from areas with high frequencies of extensive fire (Legge et al. 2015). Ranger
groups are increasingly delivering better biodiversity management, and monitoring
threatened species is often used to evaluate the success of on-ground conservation
actions (Ross et al. 2009; Gillespie et al. 2015).
Lessons learned
● (^) Involving community in threatened species monitoring can be cost-effective,
and can lead to a variety of improved outcomes, while generating inf luential
community support and involvement in species conservation.
● (^) Careful planning, management and communication is required to ensure
meaningful engagement, particularly in relation to recruiting and managing
volunteers, and ensuring data quality.
● (^) Within Indigenous communities, open discussions are essential, especially
when finding overlap between monitoring programs and Indigenous land
management priorities.
● (^) Understanding Indigenous peoples’ connections and responsibilities to
country, as well as consideration of cultural sensitives, allows long-term