Saunders MI, Fischer M, Vozzo ML, Chewying K, Malcom F, Liddell B, Cooley R, Cassady J, Bugnot AB, Waltham N (2024). Identifying and overcoming barriers to marine and coastal habitat restoration and nature-based solutions in Australia – Pathways to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion and co-design in restoration. Report to the National Environmental Science Program. University of Tasmania.
Overview
Stronger empowerment of and partnerships with Indigenous groups is one way that marine and coastal ecological restoration efforts can be achieved over larger scales. In turn, inclusion, participation, co-design, and leadership (hereafter collectively ‘participation’) in ecological restoration offers benefits such as livelihood opportunities and spiritual and cultural outcomes. However, ecological restoration is embedded in western scientific worldviews which differ from Indigenous worldviews. There is a need for guidance on how to bridge the gap between these perspectives in the context of marine restoration. This research aims to articulate a potential pathway to Indigenous participation in coastal marine ecological restoration on sea Country in Australia. To do so it addresses three questions: What are common barriers? What are common enablers? What advice can we provide? The findings are based off thematic analysis of two interviews with three individuals who have conducted coastal and marine restoration on sea Country (co-authors of this research). Using an arts-based approach we synthesise the findings into a visual proposed ‘pathway’ to Indigenous participation in coastal marine restoration. It consists of key steps that different groups can take to overcome barriers and achieve enabling conditions for successful participation in marine restoration, which can deliver socio-economic and environmental outcomes.
