Recognising excellence in NRM in the Northern Territory
Recognise the Territory's champions of natural resource management by nominating an individual, group or organisation you know for a prestigious Territory Natural Resource Management Award. You may also nominate your own work or project.
The awards celebrate the outstanding efforts and achievements of landholders, community groups, farmers, rangers, schools, businesses, and researchers, who look after our land, water and biodiversity for the future.
- Do you know an individual or group that has done great work looking after country?
- Is there a scientist whose work has provided practical solutions to improve the management of natural resources?
- Is there a school in your community that looks after the local bushland or is working towards sustainability?
- Perhaps you know a farmer who has shown innovation and foresight in managing their land and natural resources?
These are the Territorians we want to hear about, so we can celebrate their achievements and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
AWARD CATEGORIES
What does it celebrate?
- Excellence in partnering and collaborating resulting in a positive impact on natural resources in the NT.
Who can be nominated?
- This must be a joint nomination between two or more nominees.
- The nominees can be an organisation, business, group, or local authority.
Any exclusions?
Questions for this category:
- Describe the scope of the project or activities undertaken by the nominees and the collaborative nature of their partnership/work.
- How did those involved in the partnership benefit from the collaboration?
- What were the successful NRM outcomes achieved through the collaboration, and how were these shared with the NT community?
- How did the nominees develop and maintain the collaboration, and how they have ensured the continuation of the collaboration beyond the current funding and objectives?
Past winners:
- 2022 Indigenous Carbon Industry Network
For their collaborative efforts to support Aboriginal cultural enterprise top promote and facilitate an active, innovative and Indigenous-led carbon industry that supports healthy Country and better livelihoods for Indigenous people.
- 2021 Karrkad Kanjdji Trust
For their collaboration with Aboriginal Ranger programs to work together to care for country and culture across West and Central Arnhem Land.
- 2020 Tjuwaliyn- Wagiman Aboriginal Corporation / Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge
(TRaCK) Water Conservation Collaboration
For collaborating to support water planning and management of the Guwardagun River and commitment to ethical, co-designed research that integrates science and Indigenous ecological knowledge.
What does it celebrate?
- Excellence by a producer in the management or environmental stewardship of natural resources in the farming, pastoral, fishing or bushfood/product sector.
Who can be nominated?
- An individual, enterprise or industry group in the fisheries, horticulture, animal production, cropping, forestry or bushfood/product industry that has demonstrated activities including but not limited to:
- Initiation or development of sustainable natural resource management practices.
- Improved natural resource use efficiency and long-term sustainability and productivity.
- Restoration or protection of habitat / ecosystems.
- Enhancement to the resilience of their business/industry through improved natural resource management.
Any exclusions?
- Government departments are not eligible.
Questions for this category:
- What management practice or activity has been implemented by the producer to improve sustainable use or protection of a natural resource? (e.g. water, soil, native vegetation/flora and fauna, marine habitat)
- How has the practice or activity improved sustainable use or the protection of an NT natural resource?
- How has productivity within the enterprise or industry benefitted from the improved management practice or activity?
- Describe how the practice or outcomes have been shared with others and brought wider benefits to the industry and/or community.
Past winners:
- 2022 Umbearra Station
The McKays have been actively caring for the land at Umbearra Station since it was purchased in 1962. The McKay family at Umbearra have been committed to sustaining the land in the best possible condition through evidence-based land and grazing management principles, which have subsequently demonstrated long term, continued success both financially and environmentally.
- 2021 Harding Trembath Stock
For their work in establishing a grazing system, Insync Grow and Graze', which allows native pasture to improve and regenerate, by destocking during the wet season.
- 2020 Foxalicous Fruit
For their commitment to innovation, soil health, organic plant nutrition, and sustainable organic pest and diseases control at their fully sustainable and certified organic farm.
What does it celebrate?
- Excellence by a business, enterprise or organisation that provides products or services that support or facilitate sustainable use, management or protection of the NT's natural resources.
Who can be nominated?
A small business, enterprise or organisation working to provide products or services for natural resource management in the Northern Territory, activities including but not limited to:
- Delivering products or services in a sustainable manner and which respond to a demonstrable need in the Northern Territory's NRM community.
- Introducing game-changing or novel solutions to meet natural resource management challenges.
- Contribution to resilience and adaptability in the natural resource management community.
Any exclusions?
- Open only to businesses or enterprises with fewer than 200 employees and a GST exclusive turnover of less than $10 million.
Questions for this category:
- Provide an overview of the enterprise and the products or services provided to support or enhance sustainable / improved management or protection of the Territory's natural resources? (e.g. water, soil, native vegetation/flora and fauna, marine habitat).
- How have the services or products provided a benefit to the management of natural resources in the NT? (e.g improving management or reducing the impact of an issue on natural resources).
- How has the enterprise changed or improved its products or services to meet natural resource management needs or challenges in the NT?
- How has the enterprise addressed or improved sustainability in its operations, products or services?
Past winners:
- 2022 Tropiculture Australia
For developing a robust food plant production nursery that is grounded in sustainability efforts and establishing resilience to various threats in an ever-changing environment.
- 2021 Territory Native Plants
For developing a dynamic, flexible and 'client-first' business that focuses exclusively on quality native plant stock for landscape preservation (including 'post-gamba revegetation'), management, restoration and rehabilitation across the mining, civil, government sectors, and the broader community.
- 2020 Growing and Using Local Produce (GULP) NT
For connecting people and businesses to small local farmers specialising in sustainable agricultural methods and educating people on regional plants and produce.
What does it celebrate?
- Exceptional contribution to conservation and the environment through on-ground activity and community engagement and participation.
Who can be nominated?
- An individual, organisation or group that has conducted a project or activity with significant community engagement which has contributed to outstanding conservation and environmental outcomes.
Any exclusions?
- Government departments are not eligible.
Questions for this category:
- Describe the project or activity undertaken and the conservation or environmental issue it addressed.
- How was the nominee involved in the project or activity and how did their role contribute to on-ground work or community engagement and participation?
- What conservation or environmental benefits or outcomes did the project or activity achieve?
- How were the learnings or outcomes from the project or activity shared with the broader community?
Past winners:
- 2022 Dr David Liddle
For his hard work and dedication to the conservation and management of the Northern Territory's natural environment through his willingness and commitment to motivate, inspire and lead quietly by example through his participation and influence across various organisations, community groups and committees that work to look after the Northern Territory. His efforts have enhanced the communication, collaboration, planning, reporting and outcomes of various projects throughout the Territory.
- 2021 Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia - Ayers Rock Resort
For their 20-year commitment to their monitoring program for 2 threatened species, the Mulgara (Pitjantjatjara name Murtja) and Great Desert Skink (Pitjantjatjara name Tjakura) within the Northern Territory.
- 2020 EnviroCollective Charles Darwin University (CDU), Conservation on Campus program
The program aimed to educate, connect and inspire people to raise awareness around environmental issues and affect behavioral change within the CDU community. This involved native plant walks with local botanists, bird surveys with ornithologists, workshops on practical ways to reduce plastic in everyday life, pest animal and weed management on campus, and lobbying for greater student engagement and representation in sustainability planning at CDU.
What does it celebrate?
- An outstanding young group or individual that has conducted a project or activity which has contributed to environmental awareness, sustainability or management of a natural resource through on-ground action.
Who can be nominated?
- Open to any Territorian up to 20 years of age, or any NT group whose core membership is no older than 20 years of age.
- This could be a school or youth group, a scout/guide group, or an informal group of young people who have come together because of an interest in the natural resource challenge the project has addressed.
Any exclusions?
- Individuals over 20 years of age are not eligible.
- Groups with a membership older than 20 years of age are not eligible.
- Government departments are not eligible.
Questions for this category:
- Describe the project or activity undertaken by the group or individual and the environmental / natural resource management issue it addressed.
- If the activity was teacher/adult-led, provide a clear demonstration of the degree of autonomy, self-direction, initiative and ownership of the project taken on by the young people.
- What environmental / natural resource management changes or improvements were achieved through the project or activity?
- How has the project involved or been shared with the wider community?
Past winners:
- 2022 Berry Springs Primary School
For undertaking environmental activities aimed at raising community awareness and improving sustainability practices within their local community. All initiatives are student-led with the support of staff at Berry Springs Primary School and project partners.
- 2021 Nakara Primary School
For their formation of the Eco Warriors, which has increased the schools capacity to reuse, reduce and recycle and has reduced general waste to land fill.
- 2020 Manyallaluk School
The school uses STEM subjects to teach students the impact of buffalo and plastic waste and how to conduct surveys using drones and cameras to record, graph and analyse data. Their findings are presented to the community using outlets like YouTube and there are plans for a feral animal exclusion zone for survey and study.
What does it celebrate?
- An outstanding Indigenous group that has worked to care for land and sea country.
Who can be nominated?
- Any NT Indigenous group (official or informal) that has worked together to address natural resource management on country.
Any exclusions?
- Only open to Indigenous groups from the NT.
Questions for this category:
- Outline the work, project or activity undertaken by the group to look after land and/or sea country and the natural resource management issue it addressed.
- What changes or improvement in the health of land or sea country did the group achieve through their work, project or activity?
- How did the work, project or activity involve, benefit or inspire members of the group?
- How were the learnings or outcomes from the work, project or activity shared with the broader community?
Past winners:
- 2022 Warddekken Land Management
For their Mayh Recovery Program, alongside the Warddeken Biodiversity Monitoring program, established in 2017. Through this program Warddeken Land Management Limited (WLML), with Traditional Owners and rangers, implemented long-term monitoring, ecological research, and adaptive management to recover fauna in the stone country region.
- 2021 Walungurru Ranger TORAC
For their efforts in the establishment of the Walungurru Rangers. Country is now being visited and maintained, in many cases, for the first time in recent memory.
- 2020 Larrakia Land & Sea Rangers
For monitoring highly threatened migratory shorebirds over the past six years, which has contributed to improved conservation outcomes and greater public awareness. These patrols have also enhanced understanding of the biodiversity and cultural values of Larrakia sea country and supports collaboration with key stakeholders and companies with interests in the Darwin harbour.
What does it celebrate?
- Excellence in collaborative applied research for natural resource management in the NT.
Who can be nominated?
- An individual, group, organisation or institution, or a joint nomination between two or more nominees.
Any exclusions?
Questions for this category:
- What was the scope of the applied research undertaken and the area of natural resource management it addressed?
- How and to what extent did the nominee(s) collaborate with and involve others in designing, undertaking and applying the research?
- What were the achievements and outcomes of the research and its application for natural resoucre management in the NT?
- How have the collaborative research learnings and outcomes been shared with the broader community?
Past winners:
- 2021 Stygofauna Research Team, Research Institute for Environment & Livelihoods, CDU and CSIRO
For research into the distribution and abundance of stygofauna (groundwater organisms) and microbial assemblages in the Cambrian Limestone Aquifer at sites spanning a 500km climatic gradient. Resulting in the discovery of new groundwater fauna in the Top End and fulfilling a critical knowledge gap in understanding the ecological components, processes and functions of this aquifer.
- 2020 Wagiman / TRaCK - Water Conservation Collaboration
In 2004, researchers from the Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) and Traditional Owners surveyed the fish of the Daly River, documenting their cultural significance, and combining scientific and Indigenous knowledges to model the impacts of water use. Since then, the project has had substantial influence on water planning and management in the NT and compiled one of the country's longest-running freshwater datasets.
- 2019 Charles Darwin University / Tropical Turtle Group
For their research into the decline in the health and populations of the northern long-necked turtle (Chelodina oblonga) in the Finniss catchment.
What does it celebrate?
- An exceptional individual who has gone above and beyond in their ranger duties in the past 12 months, and made an outstanding contribution to the management of conservation or protected areas in the Northern Territory.
Who can be nominated?
- A current ranger in the Northern Territory.
Any exclusions?
- Individuals who are not currently working as a ranger in the Northern Territory are not eligible.
Questions for this category:
- Provide an overview of the ranger's involvement in protected area management (national parks, reserves, marine parks and Indigenous Protected areas) in the last 12 months.
- What significant contributions or outcomes did the individual achieve in protected area management in the last 12 months?
- How has the ranger's approach engaged, involved and inspired others in the past 12 months?
- What sets the ranger apart and qualifies them to be celebrated as exceptional?
Past winners:
- 2022 Terrah Guymala, Warddeken Land Management
For his passion, dedication and contribution to the organisation and the Nawarddeken people through his on-ground work, decision-making and engagement with the community.
- 2021 Steve Dwyer, Park Ranger at Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
For his tireless work on gamba grass management at Mary River National Park to protect the savanna woodlands.
- 2020 Sonya Braybon, Tjuwanpa Women Rangers
For her exceptional contribution to both, land management and the increased involvement of Indigenous woman in Ranger positions in Central Australia. With her passion for working on country and intergenerational learning, Sonya has inspired many other women to develop in ranger roles.
What does it celebrate?
- An outstanding individual who has made a significant beneficial impact in the area of natural resource management in the NT through their contribution to agricultural sustainability, conservation or the environment.
Who can be nominated?
- Any individual currently or formerly engaged in activities which have benefitted the management of natural resources in the NT.
Some additional nomination tips:
- The winner does not necessarily need to be currently engaged in natural resource management nor do they necessarily need to have had a hands-on involvement.
- The winner will be someone who has made a significant impact in natural resource management in the NT, for example:
- by a long-standing commitment to natural resource management in a particular area
- by addressing a particular threat and managing it with consistent positive outcomes; or
- because the individual's advocacy of natural resource management has changed hearts and minds
Any exclusions?
Questions for this Category:
- Provide an overview of the individual's involvement in and commitment to natural resource management in the NT (this should include the type of activity, length of time committed, and their role).
- What are the significant beneficial contributions and outcomes the individual has achieved in the area of natural resource management in the NT?
- How has the nominee's work inspired, engaged and made a difference in the area of natural resource?
Past winners:
- 2022 Mr Rioli, Tiwi Rangers
For his legacy as a proud Munupi man and his hard-work, dedication and commitment as an inspiring leader of the Tiwi Ranger Program for 14 years until he sadly passed away in July 2022.
- 2022 Winston Thompson, Yugul Mangi Rangers / SEAL IPA
For his efforts and commitment as a Traditional Owners, senior cultural advisor, ranger, role model, mentor, teacher and bush professer, which have had a substantial impact on conservation and preservation of ecological cultural knowledge in south-east Arnhem Land and Top End.
- 2021 Glen Wightman
For more than three decades, Glenn Wightman's work and career has been focused on Territorians and helping them protect their biocultural knowledge.
Finalists in all of the above categories will be entered into a People's Choice Award category.
Online voting and in person voting opportunities during the conference will be available until midday on the 22nd November 2023.
Past winners:
- 2022 Berry Springs Primary School
- 2020 Manyallaluk School
- 2019 Alawa Primary School
