From a spark to a slow burn, our Igniting Communities project has now wrapped up. More than just a series of events, this project brought together people, culture, and Country through healing, knowledge-sharing, and resilience building. Led by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) in partnership with NRM South, and supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Australian Government, the project built on the work of Firesticks Alliance to empower the Palawa community through cultural burning and intergenerational learning.
Across six community gatherings—including workshops, demonstration burns, and cultural learning activities—participants explored the vital role of fire in caring for both land and people. From reading landscapes to hands-on practice, these events fostered cultural knowledge exchange, strengthened intergenerational ties, and highlighted how cultural burning contributes to healthier ecosystems, stronger communities, and long-term landscape resilience.
Held on culturally important landscapes at Putalina (Oyster Cove) and Piyura Kitina (Risdon Cove), the events created space for stories to be shared, connections to deepen, and traditional fire practices to be celebrated in ways that reflected community priorities and values. The project not only built trust and respect between TAC and NRM South but also supported emerging practitioners, junior rangers, and cultural leaders to step into their roles as knowledge holders for the future.
The project also bridged cultural and scientific knowledge systems. With the guidance of entomologists Dr Shasta Henry and Dr Yolanda Hanusch, participants explored how cultural burning affects native insect communities, and how monitoring tools can be used to track ecological health. This blending of Aboriginal knowledge and Western scientific practices opened up possibilities for managing Country in ways that harness both approaches.
A standout success of the project was the creation of the short film Igniting Communities: Cultural Fire Mentoring Program, Lutruwita. Shot during the first event at Putalina, the film captures the spirit of the project—showcasing powerful moments of cultural burning, community voices, and the deep sense of identity and resilience fostered by reconnecting with fire.
Most importantly, the relationships forged through this project have laid a strong foundation for the future. They will support ongoing collaboration, cultural leadership, and community-driven resilience strategies—ensuring cultural burning remains not only a land management practice, but a living, community-led tradition that strengthens identity, heals Country, and prepares communities for challenges ahead. We are grateful to have shared this journey with TAC and the Palawa community.
Watch the video below to find out more about how culture, collaboration, and cultural practice can light the way forward:
This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.