We do not need to wait until every-one has accepted and understood the obligation of custodianship or until all our laws and institutions are reformed. We can act now, collectively and individually. Every small change we make adds to all the others – eventually, big changes. We can act collaboratively, immediately magnifying the changes any one of us can make. Here are some examples.
Programs we want governments and businesses to support:
- Detailed regional and catchment action plans that prioritise caring for country
- Restore Landcare as the grass roots caring for country movement envisaged in 1989, with one community driven organisation supported by governments
- Revive cleaner production and energy efficiency programs
- Improve waste management systems.
Educationists can:
- Establish university departments/programs/chairs based on caring for country principles that have effective community outreach
- Develop a social sciences school curriculum on understanding country – teach school kids ‘how to think’ and about local ‘country.’
Land and sea managers can:
- Incorporate local Aboriginal local culture in land restoration and management
- Weave local culture and non-indigenous science into management and restoration processes
- Focus repair and restoration on the unique and very special aspects of nature and culture in Australia.
We can all:
- Constantly publicise good examples that prioritise caring for country
- Foster collaboration and peer networks aimed at supporting caring for country
- Practise continuous learning and improvement, preferably using quality management systems
- Adopt environmental charters for our households, farms and businesses
- Become better waste managers
- Practise energy efficiency
- Join supportive organisations
- Participate in supportive events.
