Climate change workshops

Workshops on Country helping to set course on climate adaptation for Uluṟu

A series of workshops and site visits has been held at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park to identify the key changes and challenges associated with climate change.

Teams across the park, including Operations, Tourism, Country and Culture and park management took part in scenarios to look at how climate change might affect them and the work they do.

Senior Aṉangu knowledge holders and Mala Rangers took the opportunity to teach Parks Australia staff and CSIRO scientists about Aṉangu Country, knowledge and culture.

They shared their observations of the impacts of climate change and colonisation on biodiversity, land management, culture and wellbeing across Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

The second part of the exercise involved visiting sites in the park to focus on what it might mean for different aspects of the environment, including flora and fauna species, surface water and rock features.

A key theme among Aṉangu was concern about the increasing spread of buffel grass and its impacts on native plants and animals, culture, traditional land management practices, and wellbeing on Country.

Dr Samuel Merson from the Parks Australia Science Branch, who led the workshops, said climate change had the potential to make life in the Red Desert more challenging for people, animals and plants alike, with the potential for higher temperatures, extended drought, less surface water and an increased risk of fire.

The feedback collected during the workshops and scenarios will be used to identify priorities and create adaptation pathways for the park to plan and build capability and confidence among community and staff.

The Uluṟu workshops are part of a two-year collaboration between Parks Australia and the CSIRO, called Strengthening Parks Australia’s Climate Response. Similar sessions are being held for Commonwealth-managed terrestrial parks, marine parks, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

When the workshops are complete, Parks Australia will come together as an agency to understand the key issues across all parks and gardens and develop a framework to use for decision-making on climate adaptation.