The health of the Darling Baaka will be better protected through a $4 million NSW Government investment that puts Barkandji cultural knowledge and smart monitoring technology at the heart of caring for the river.
The project brings together leading scientists from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the Barkandji Prescribed Body Corporate to strengthen river monitoring and build on the ongoing response to the Menindee fish deaths.
Using smart buoys, cultural indicators and joint river monitoring, the project will provide earlier warnings of river health risks and support better decisions for the Darling Baaka.
The initiative will help protect and strengthen Barkandji cultural knowledge, build the skills of Barkandji Rangers, and increase community understanding of river health and Caring for Country.
The project is helping create a new way of caring for rivers by bringing together the best of cultural and scientific knowledge, with lessons that could benefit waterways across NSW.
This is one of five major environmental initiatives being delivered under the NSW Environmental Trust’s 2024 to 2029 Strategic Plan and reflects a new approach to funding strategic, long-term initiatives addressing significant environmental challenges.
The NSW Environmental Trust is investing $39.1 million in the five projects, and when combined with grantee and partners’ support, they will deliver more than $62 million in environmental, cultural and community benefits across NSW.
Image: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
