The 2024-25 Cape York NRM annual report outlines its road to better land management. Photo: Cape York Natural Resource Management.
Residents and businesses should support landholders and Traditional Owners in seizing new opportunities, according to chair of Cape York Natural Resource Management (NRM).
Dr Jim Turnour said Cape York was continuing to change in significant ways.
“More than 60 per cent of land is held under Aboriginal Freehold with Native Title, recognising Traditional Owners’ enduring connection to Country over pretty much the entire region,” he said in the recently published 2024-25 NRM annual report.
“Many pastoral properties and Aboriginal corporations are also diversifying, generating income through carbon farming and fire projects alongside cattle.
“We must continue to play a central role in this transition… This includes through facilitating direct investments in cultural and natural resource management and creating an enabling environment for emerging ecosystem services markets.”
A not-for-profit organisation and registered charity dedicated to the sustainable management of natural resources across the Peninsula, Cape York NRM works to protect and enhance the region’s unique ecosystems.
This includes wetlands, rainforests, savannas and coastal habitats, tackling a range of environmental challenges while integrating Traditional Knowledge and community insights into its approach to land and resource management.
Cape York NRM CEO Pip Schroor said the organisation’s work remained “grounded in collaboration and guided by the deep knowledge and enduring connection of Traditional Owners to Country”.
NRM annual report highlights include:
- securing funding to replicate the award-winning Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance on the Cape’s east coast.
- supporting the recovery of threatened species including the golden-shouldered parrot, as well as protecting coastal habitat and tackling invasive weeds.
- the NRM Expansion Program to deliver significant land, water and biodiversity projects.
Ms Schroor said the organisation would focus on developing two key planning documents in the year ahead: the 2026–36 Cape York Peninsula Regional NRM Plan and Cape York NRM Strategic Plan.
Have your say about the 2026–36 plan at: www.capeyorknrm.com.au
Read or download the Cape York NRM annual report.
Established in 2010, Cape York Natural Resource Management has offices in Cooktown and Cairns, and currently a staff of 21.
