Cross-cultural conservation planning for a threatened orchid (Arakwal National Park)

Arakwal National Park (NP) is a small coastal reserve in New South Wales that was created in 2001. An Indigenous Land Use Agreement formally recognises the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay (Arakwal people) as the Traditional Owners and provides for joint management with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Although Arakwal NP is small, it contains significant cultural and ecological values including the endemic Byron Bay Graminoid Clay Health community – the only known habitat of the endangered Byron Bay Orchid (Diuris byronensis).

This species is important to the Arakwal people and is the focus for a renewed cross-cultural approach to management. NPWS managers, Arakwal rangers, Traditional Owners and scientists have been working to incorporate Indigenous and scientific knowledge and cultural priorities in management decisions for the orchid and clay heath community. In 2018 a cultural burn of the orchid’s heath habitat was done – the first in 30 years. Already there are signs of successful regeneration.