As Cape York Peninsula continues to burn, land managers are meeting in Cairns today and tomorrow (7 and 8 December) to discuss how to improve fire management in the region.
The forum is supported by Cape York Natural Resource Management, Firescape Science, The Nature Conservancy Australia and the Australian Government through the National Landcare Programme.
Cape York NRM’s conservation sector director Barry Lyon said the forum would discuss opportunities associated with savanna burning projects.
“Every year thousands of hectares of Cape York is burnt from unplanned and uncontrolled wildfire,” Mr Lyon said.
“These fires release carbon into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming, along with having devastating effects on the local environment.
“Over the past few years many Cape York land managers have started up savanna burning projects, to improve fire management practices and reduce carbon emissions.
“Cape York NRM and Firescape Science are bringing Cape York land managers together to discuss their projects and share what they have learnt, and to discuss ways of improving fire management practices across Cape York.”
The forum will include presentations from ranger groups and pastoral land managers undertaking fire projects, or who are interested in exploring this option in the future.
There will also be general discussion covering fire issues relating to policy and legal aspects, governance, on-ground operations and IEK/cultural matters.
