Jabalbina Green Economy workshop - May 2024

Image description: Jabalbina CEO Josh Peterson presenting at the Jabalbina Green Economy Workshop. (Credit: Wet Tropics Images)

Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation (Jabalbina), in partnership with the Wet Tropics Management Authority recently hosted the Jabalbina Green Economy Workshop at the James Cook University’s (JCU) Daintree Rainforest Observatory (DRO) at Cape Tribulation.

Building on the momentum generated at the 2023 Daintree Restoration Field Day, the workshop brought Eastern Kuku Yalanji People, land conservation organisations, researchers and key stakeholders together to consider ways to progress a nature-based restoration economy that would support sustainable local jobs and build community capacity.

The focus was scaling up restoration practice through deeper collaboration with the Eastern Kuku Yalanji, to create sustainable economic opportunities, particularly in the Daintree, but also across the Douglas Shire while protecting and restoring Yalanji ancestral lands as part of Jabalbina’s Green Economy Strategy - Madja Kaday Baja (The Rainforest Returns).

Key highlights of the day included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jabalbina and JCU to strengthen the interaction and alignment between traditional ecological knowledge and scientific research; Shaun Creek's didgeridoo performance alongside the Yalanji dancers; and, last but certainly not least, witnessing many people from different communities across the area who are invested in the future protection, restoration, and cultural values of the Daintree rainforest and its surroundings.

A special thanks to DRO Station Manager Johan and catering queen Rachel for looking after all of us. It’s a great space for those looking for a wonderful on Country research, teaching and educational facility.