Caring for Land, Culture, and the Next Generation When people talk about Country, they often think about mountains, rivers, plants, and animals. But there is something important that has been missing from many landscapes for a long time: Aboriginal people themselves. Country is not just land. It is living, breathing, and connected to people, culture, and responsibility. When people are removed from Country, something is lost for both the land and the community. The Buugang Wambal Project is about restoring that connection. It focuses on bringing Aboriginal people back onto Country and placing culture at the centre of land management. The project is not just about protecting nature; it is about healing relationships between people, land, and knowledge that has been passed down for thousands of years. At the heart of the project is collaboration. Aboriginal communities work alongside land management agencies and organisations, all supporting the community’s aspirations for Country. This “wrap-around” approach ensures culture leads the work, rather than being added as an afterthought. Decisions are guided by cultural knowledge, ceremony, and respect for the land. One of the most powerful parts of the project is getting mob back on Country. Elders, adults, and young people walk the land together, learning by doing. Young people are taught about culture, ceremony, and caring for Country so they can carry this knowledge into the future. It is hands-on learning that cannot be replaced by books or classrooms. The alpine regions around Mount Jagungal are especially significant. These areas have been important meeting places for many Aboriginal groups, including Walgalu, Ngarigo, Wiradjuri, Yuin, and Jaitmatang peoples. Long ago, people would travel from far distances to gather when the Bogong moth migrated to the mountains. This migration was not just a natural event; it was deeply connected to ceremony, culture, and survival. The Bogong moth was a vital food source that supported large gatherings of people. Aboriginal people used carefully made nets and small fires to collect the moths from rock crevices. Sometimes the moths were eaten straight from the coals, while other times they were ground into a paste, cooked, and carried back to other gathering places. These practices show deep knowledge of the land and its seasonal cycles. The project also focuses on protecting important species that hold cultural meaning. One of these is the corroboree frog, known as Gyak. Gyak is more than just an animal; it is a cultural messenger. In the past, when people moved through Country, they would listen for the call of the corroboree frog. If Gyak did not answer, it meant they did not have permission to pass through that area. When the frog called back, it signalled that people could continue their journey for ceremony. This shows how closely culture, animals, and Country are connected. Looking after Gyak today is about protecting both culture and biodiversity. Caring for this species ensures that cultural practices linked to listening, respect, and permission are not forgotten. Another important focus is caring for endangered plants, such as the Tumut grevillea. This native plant only grows in a small area and is at risk of disappearing. As part of the project, young people are trained in seed collecting, flora and fauna monitoring, and land care techniques. Cultural burns are also carried out to understand how fire affects plants and ecosystems. These burns are carefully planned and guided by cultural knowledge, showing how traditional practices can support modern conservation. The project also works closely with protected areas like national parks and reserves through formal agreements. These agreements recognise the importance of Aboriginal access to Country and the responsibility that comes with it. Men and women who may not have had the chance to be on Country before are now actively involved in caring for it. At its core, the Buugang Wambal Project puts culture first. When culture is at the centre, everything else follows: protection of land, healthy ecosystems, strong communities, and confident young people. The project shows that best practice land management is not just about science or policy, but about listening to Country and respecting the people who belong to it. Looking to the future, the hope is simple but powerful. More people on Country. Elders sharing knowledge. Young people learning by walking, sitting, listening, and caring for the land. With that connection comes responsibility, respect, and a strong future for both Country and community.