Playbook for Urban Biodiversity

L2. Get to know the Country you live on

Embracing a holistic approach to land management in partnership with Traditional owners.

Do you know which Indigenous country your city belongs to? Do you know which languages are spoken by local Indigenous people? How about the stories of the land where you live, or the names that local groups had for the places you go? Do you know what plants and animals that were common in your urban spaces?

The way that our cities have developed make it difficult to see the land they’re situated on as Country. But, the land all Australians live on is a cultural landscape, and Indigenous communities have been custodians of local ecosystems for tens of thousands of years. Learning the true nature of Country in our cities is a big step towards appreciating our biodiversity at a deeper level.

You can learn about the Country you live on by reading Indigenous authors, attending events like cultural tours and yarning circles (for example, at NAIDOC week), and learning – with permission - some local words for places, plants and animals. Seek out the art and music of your Country, and the stories of local places. Encourage your kids to learn along with you, and ask your school if they’re teaching children about Country.