Firesticks, Media Release, January 2026
In a groundbreaking move for Australian agriculture, Indigenous knowledge is being shared and applied across Queensland as part of a new project Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Resilience. Indigenous Cultural Fire Practitioners and Queensland farmers are working together to improve grazing landscapes using First Nations land management practices, including Cultural Burning – transforming the way food and agricultural systems work.
This pioneering collaboration led by national Indigenous network Firesticks, is supported by the Australian Government’s $302.1 million Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, designed to boost the agriculture sector’s sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness.
This multi-year collaboration is taking place on more than 20 grazing properties across multiple Qld regions, including the Dry Tropics, Gulf Savannah, Beaudesert, and South Burnett. Through workshops, mentoring and Cultural Burns, the project is demonstrating how Indigenous knowledge can restore soil health, improve water retention, and support biodiversity – creating a model for resilient and sustainable agricultural landscapes.
Alongside a network of partners including University of Queensland, Bunya Peoples Aboriginal Corporation, NQ Dry Tropics and dedicated Qld graziers, Firesticks is demonstrating how farmers and Indigenous communities can work together to boost ecosystem health, enhance climate resilience and explore new avenues for agricultural profitability. The project is building future-proof approaches that regenerate land degraded by industrial farming and restore balance between production and Country.
“We’re looking for ways to help heal, manage and improve this place, not only for the farming that we do…but also for the wildlife. If we were able to heal the land for the cost of a box of matches, I’m all in…This project gives me hope that there’s a way to be better. To move forward – together.” – Jill Sampson, Landholder on Wakka Wakka Country.
Jill Sampson on Wakka Wakka Country.
Photos: Bella Laifoo
‘Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Resilience’ is reconnecting communities with Ancestral Knowledge, guiding the agricultural sector toward practices that work with natural systems, and demonstrating that caring for Country is key to Australia’s climate and food future.
“A project like this could really carry on forever, purely on the face that science is still playing catch up to traditional ecological knowledge. Scientists come out on Country with us and they are often confirming what we’ve already been told by our Elders. 90 per cent of the NQ Dry Tropics region is leasehold farmland, so access for Traditional Owners is really low, a project like this gives us access to Country. Our Elders get to go out and teach their grandchildren on Country. It gives them hope. This project is a win-win for everyone.” – Trinity Georgetown, a Lama Lama man and Cultural Fire Project Officer at NQ Dry Tropics.
“This project aims to be inclusive and involve all the stakeholders,” says Victor Steffensen, Tagalaka man and Co-founder of Firesticks.
“We’re here to benefit farmers. We’re here to see non-Indigenous people benefit here regionally, as well as Indigenous. We’re creating employment and opportunities and looking at ways that we can establish amazing visions and long-term targets into improving our country and our society socially and being more aligned with landscapes.”
“The support from Firesticks has been transformative for our Community organisation. It’s empowered us to scale up our Cultural Burning practices, form a dedicated fire team — strengthening our Community’s resilience and helping our young people see a future in caring for Country.” – Germaine Paulson, Mununjali and Wulli Wulli Man, Lead Fire Practitioner.
Cultural fire workshops set to begin in early 2026
Guided by Country and Community leadership, we are finalising our early 2026 Cultural Burn schedule.
With wet weather moving down the coast from the north, conditions are shaping up for a strong start to the year. We anticipate launching a new season of Cultural Burns across South East Queensland, continuing our commitment to Indigenous land management practices that care for Country and reduce bushfire risk.
Project partners:
The program will be delivered by an Indigenous-led consortium: Firesticks, Mulong, Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation, Bunya Peoples Aboriginal Corporation, NQ Dry Tropics and Yugambeh Land Enterprises.
Knowledge partners: University of Queensland
Landowner partners: Cunningham Cattle Company – Esmeralda Station, Plumtree Station, Warrawee Station, Upper Barker Creek, Kurrajong Valley Farm, Shelly’s Property.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
About Firesticks:
Firesticks is an Indigenous-led, not-for-profit organisation committed to revitalising and applying Cultural Knowledge Systems to heal Country and strengthen community wellbeing. For more than a decade, Firesticks have walked alongside communities to revitalise Cultural Fire Practice and strengthen the knowledge systems that sustain healthy Country and resilient futures.
Communities across the nation are leading the way in managing their own regions through Cultural Fire, providing opportunities for future generations.
