Shelburne Bay
- Ranger team
- Wuthathi Land and Sea custodians
- Host organisation
- Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation
The Wuthathi Land and Sea Custodians look after country at Shelburne Bay on north-eastern Cape York Peninsula, which includes coastal dune fields, freshwater ecosystems and wetlands; and sea country from Cape York east to Raine Island.
Wuthathi Land and Sea Custodians’ work includes:
- establishing culturally appropriate indicators for monitoring the health of country and establishing better baseline data on the scope of introduced animals and plants
- cleaning up marine debris from remote beaches in partnership with Tangaroa Blue
- surveying green turtle nesting sites on mainland coastal beaches, and monitoring dugong population in Shelbourne Bay
- monitoring and mapping seagrass meadows in Shelburne Bay in partnership with James Cook University,
- surveying and managing weeds and feral animals such as pigs and cats, to minimise impact on totemic and important native species
- monitoring water quality and undertaking wetland assessments
- undertaking cultural heritage assessments, mapping and recording (middens, burial sites, story places) and recording traditional knowledge with Elders about medicinal plants and bush foods
- fire management through ground and aerial burning in partnership with QPWS
- maintaining infrastructure including gates, campgrounds and fire breaks
- engaging with Elders and young people for traditional knowledge transfer through on country Junior Ranger activities.