Weaving cultural science across Applied Bushfire Science Program themes

Cultural Science

Aboriginal artwork on animal skin in front of colourful map

Cultural science examines and explores the impacts and benefits of activating Aboriginal cultural values, knowledge, practices, and assets in caring for NSW's rich landscape and biodiversity. This research aims to deepen our understanding of Country and cultivate meaningful intercultural connections, collaboration, and scientific outcomes. Cultural science honours Aboriginal peoples' traditions, perspectives, and custodianship, celebrating their intimate relationship with Country and fostering a shared commitment to its care and preservation.

PHOTO: Western and cultural interpretations of mapping are being brought together for better outcomes for environmental conservation and restoration / Graham Moore, DCCEEW

Integrating cultural and western science across Applied Bushfire Science Program themes

Ecologists are strengthening inter-relationships and understanding across cultural science, ecology, climate, and soils teams. They have been actively seeking opportunities for fieldwork with NPWS with pre-fire field surveys and post surveys planned for 2025. This is supported by Cultural Monitoring and Evaluation Reporting (CMER). Find out more about the benefits of Cultural Science on the DCCEEW webpage on cultural science research.

Cultural science is helping bushfire research | News | Environment and Heritage (nsw.gov.au)

Learn about some of the principles and work underway in cultural science by NSW Government scientists and researchers in this video:

Find out how Cultural Scientists are applying Aboriginal cultural knowledge to projects within the Applied Bushfire Science Program, in this new video on Fire and Cultural Science: