Representatives from the Reef & Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) joined Traditional Owners, Indigenous leaders, land and sea managers, researchers and conservation practitioners in Cairns for NAILSMA’s Reimagining Conservation 2026 forum.

Held from 21–24 September on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country, the forum explores how conservation can move beyond conventional western approaches by recognising and empowering Indigenous-led conservation, supported by genuine partnerships.

Hosted by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), with support from the Australian Committee for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the sold-out event is the third Reimagining Conservation forum held in Australia. It brings together people from across cultures, sectors and regions to create space for shared learning, discussion and collaborative action.  

For RRRC, the conversations strongly align with its work supporting partnerships between Traditional Owners, researchers and natural resource managers across northern Australia.

RRRC Managing Director Dr Sheriden Morris attended the forum alongside Senior Scientist Dr Suzanne Long, contributing to discussions and hearing directly from Indigenous land and sea managers about priorities, experiences and approaches to caring for Country. RRRC Chair Professor Allan Dale also contributed to the conference program, delivering the keynote ‘Country as Lawmaker: Reforming the System’.

A major focus of the forum is recognising that Indigenous knowledge and cultural authority are not simply inputs into conservation programs, but fundamental to how decisions about Country are made.

This principle also underpins the National Indigenous Environmental Research Network (NIERN), an Indigenous-led initiative supported through RRRC’s research partnerships. NIERN aims to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to identify and lead their own research priorities, supported by culturally safe research practices and partnerships that bring Traditional Knowledge and western science together. 

The conference program has provided opportunities to hear from Indigenous leaders and practitioners from across Australia, including discussions emerging from an Indigenous-only day held ahead of the broader forum. NAILSMA CEO Barry Hunter presented key outcomes from those discussions as the full conference came together.

For RRRC, participation is also an opportunity to listen – strengthening relationships and learning from approaches that can inform research, conservation and land and sea management partnerships across northern Australia.

Previous Reimagining Conservation forums have explored themes including Indigenous cultural authority, rights-based approaches to conservation, weaving knowledge systems, equity in managing Country and the importance of sustainable economic opportunities. The 2026 gathering continues that conversation, with NAILSMA describing the forum as an opportunity to connect, listen, learn and explore new possibilities for conservation together.  

For RRRC, those conversations reinforce a simple principle: strong environmental research and management begins with meaningful partnerships with the people who know, manage and care for Country.

⁠Learn more about Reimagining Conservation 2026.