Sandalwood Assessment Training

2-way knowledge and learning in action

  • Up to 10 Martu Rangers over 2 years participating in training

  • Learning to set sample plots, assess and track trees with GPS technology

  • High wellbeing through learning and working on country and traditional homelands

  • Building skills for future careers on country

  • Supporting traditional custodianship

SNAPSHOT

IN PICTURES

THE STORY

The Martu Aboriginal people of Birriliburu Country have lived in Western Australia’s (WA) Central Desert for about 60,000 years and continue to uphold the cultural responsibility of safeguarding their Country.

Among their responsibilities is the conservation of native sandalwood forests that are regarded by the Martu Aboriginal people as sacred. This involves enhanced planting of sandalwood trees as well as the management of introduced species and animals.

Sandalwood’s natural range exists in WA’s low and medium rainfall regions between Albany and Carnarvon, including the Wheatbelt and Goldfield regions, in addition to some areas in South Australia. The expansion of the agricultural sector, land cropping, illegal harvest and theft have impacted sandalwood, which has been a protected species in Australia since 1929 and under the Biodiversity Conservation Act that became fully operational in 2019.

This 2 week intensive training program offered Martu Rangers a chance to learn sandalwood survey methods, delivered by the country’s leading sandalwood expert.  Trainees were paid to participate and build their skills in the following areas, at the end of which they received a Certificate of Achievement.  

  • Safety, scheduling

  • Spotting and identifying sandalwood trees

  • Recording and counting trees

  • Classifying trees by size and category

  • Setting plots, measuring and GPS tracking trees

  • Processing data and converting onto a spreadsheet

  • Reading maps and satellite imagery

This project builds on a history of regenerative sandalwood care by Aboriginal sandalwood operators and landowners. This assessment contributes to the body of formalising the regenerative work of Indigenous sandalwood operators and provides a crucial step in comprehensive and integrated sandalwood care and management plans for areas managed by Native Title holders and traditional owners.

An output of a sandalwood assessment is a formal Sandalwood Sustainability Management Plan, developed and implemented by Indigenous landowners and operators and creates economic and landcare skills and income for communities.

We believe in integrating culture and technology to uphold the needs of traditional custodians to manage their homelands. 

This project, and the Martu Voices project, has been achieved in partnership with the Givaudan Foundation. Collaborative partnerships are a fundamental part of how we work to increase our social impact and add value to achieving our vision.

Click here for more about our Partnerships.