Last Djeran, the Undalup Wadandi Rangers along with the DFES, Breakaway Aboriginal Corporate and Roeland’s Village visited Tanah Marah to teach and conduct cultural burns at Tanah Marah.

For over 60,000 years Aboriginal people have been using cultural burning practices for land, plant and animal management and to improve the health of country. Cultural burns benefit both the environment and the traditional way of living on country.

Cultural burning has not happened over large parts of Australia for many generations. Due to a continuing growth in education and awareness, thanks to Aboriginal led groups such as the Undalup Wadandi Rangers, the process of slow burns and its positive impacts is now becoming part of mainstream burning practices.

Collecting balga leaves to fuel the slow burn

What is Cultural Burning?

Cultural burns, also known as cool or slow burns, are a traditional land management practice. 

These burns are deliberately and carefully controlled to be low-intensity, spreading slowly across the terrain. Designed to be small-scale, cultural burns consider the types of plants and animals in the area, ensuring the fire does not reach the tree canopies. Protecting the canopies is crucial, as they provide shade, shelter for native wildlife, and seeds for future growth. By conducting these gentle, cool burns, we give wildlife the opportunity to find refuge or move to the safety of the canopy.

This method not only preserves essential habitats but also promotes the regeneration of native plants that thrive after low-intensity fires. By maintaining a balanced and healthy ecosystem, cultural burning supports the long-term resilience of the landscape, ensuring it can sustain both wildlife and plant life for generations to come.

Cultural burns allow for fire to move slowly and with low-intensity

What are the benefits of Cultural Burning?

Cultural burning provides more than a tool for land management – it can play a vital role in preserving our country’s natural ecosystem and biodiversity. Many Australian plant species are adapted to fire and rely on it for germination and growth. The mosaic pattern of burning, where certain patches are burned while others are left untouched, creates a diverse landscape that supports a wide variety of animal habitats.

The mosaic pattern created by cultural burning is effective in reducing the intensity of bushfires. This approach involves slow, controlled burns that target accumulated leaves and branches on the ground, reducing the available fuel. By strategically burning areas that could otherwise feed a bushfire, cultural burns help to diminish its intensity and limit its potential spread.

The significance of cultural burns extends beyond environmental benefits. These practices are deeply rooted in Aboriginal spirituality and cultural identity. They represent a holistic approach to land care, one that embodies respect for nature and a commitment to sustaining the land for future generations.

Collecting dry balga leaves to maintain the slow burn

Cultural Burns at Tanah Marah

Tanah Marah is proud to support the Undalup Association by providing the space and opportunity to learn about traditional fire management and cultural burns to local community members as well as DFES, DBCA and local fire officers.

Back in 2021 we hosted an excellent workshop with Dr Wayne Webb, Iszaac Webb, Dr Joe Dortch and Gary McMahon. This workshop was one of many opportunities the Undalup Association will give to local authorities to come together to learn and practise ‘walking with fire’.

This day and some words from Iszaac Webb has been beautifully filmed by Andy of Seabird Films and can be viewed here.

“As long as we’re taking care of country in the right way and doing it in the right manner, country will always look after us.”

– Izsaac Webb, Undalup Association

Iszaac Webb from Undalup Association teaching cultural burn practices

More recently, we hosted the Undalup Wadandi Rangers along with local landholders, Department of Fire Emergency Services, Breakaway Aboriginal Corporation and Roeland’s Village to conduct slow cool burns.

Images from this teaching day have been captured by Selena of Sassoon Studios who we thank for allowing us to share her images.

These teaching days highlight the importance of using traditional knowledge when undertaking sustainable land management.

If you’d like to learn more about the Undalup Association and their Wadandi Rangers program, you can visit their website or follow them on Facebook.

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