• Location: Deddick Valley, East Gippsland, Victoria, surrounded by heritage-listed national parks

• Focus: Establishing a First Nations ranger team to lead cultural fire, biodiversity restoration and cultural heritage protection 

• Scale: Cross-tenure work across public and private land

• Approach: Culturally governed, science-informed, and community-embedded 

• Timeline: 3-year program commencing in 2025

• Investment pathway: Direct project support, co-funding and ESG-aligned contribution models 

• Total cost: $830,000

Activities include:

• Cultural fire and ecological restoration:  planned and led by Traditional Owners across tenure 

• Biodiversity and habitat monitoring: surveys of threatened species and ecological baselines 

• Invasive species management: landscape-scale coordination to reduce weeds and feral species 

• Cultural heritage: protection from disturbance, mapping, maintenance, and intergenerational knowledge transfer 

• Training and language revitalisation: support for women's participation and youth education on Country 

The Deddick Valley is home to rare ecological communities and strong cultural ties but remains one of Victoria’s most neglected landscapes in terms of investment. With no Registered Aboriginal Party or formal recognition of Traditional Owners, the region has been excluded from many key government programs, including the Indigenous Rangers Program. 

Despite these barriers, local Elders and landholders are stepping up. This program offers a culturally legitimate, community-backed approach to restoring ecological balance and cultural governance where First Nations people care for Country through fire, story, science, and work. 

3 | Good health and wellbeing

Supports cultural and community wellbeing

4 | Quality education

Strengthens intergenerational learning and ranger training 

5 | Gender equality

Creates space for women rangers and Elders to lead

8 | Decent work

Builds sustainable employment in remote Victoria

10 | Reduced inequalities

Delivers opportunity where there’s been long-standing exclusion

11 | Sustainable cities and communities

Anchored in cultural governance and community support

12 | Responsible consumption and production

Aligns with regenerative and restorative land care

13 | Climate action

Delivers climate-adaptive restoration and fire resilience

15 | Life on land

Restores native vegetation and habitat

16 | Strong institutions

Cultural governance, transparency and inclusive delivery

17 | Partnerships

Cross-sector, cross-tenure and co-investment opportunities

We are seeking partners who want to drive real-world change through cultural land care, equity, and environmental leadership. Whether through full project funding, shared co-investment, or in-kind support, we offer flexible pathways aligned to ESG goals and Reconciliation Action Plans. 

This project is grounded in First Nations authority, cultural governance, and community design. It reflects a long-overdue investment in a region where recognition has been denied for too long. By partnering with us, you will contribute to healing Country, restoring equity, and building a future rooted in knowledge, legacy and respect. 

Strengthening efforts through alignment 

Prior to initiating projects, we undertake careful landscape and stakeholder analyses to ensure our work complements existing efforts. Where appropriate, we explore opportunities to collaborate and enhance our collective impact.