The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is responsible for protecting the state’s natural and cultural heritage. It manages more than 800 national parks and reserves which have been created to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of particular landscapes and to provide opportunities for people to visit. OEH also has a statutory role in protecting Aboriginal objects and declared Aboriginal Places across NSW.

However OEH acknowledges that protecting Aboriginal heritage means far more than looking after sites in parks or artefacts in museums. Aboriginal people need to be able to access land to renew their cultural learning. And they have to be involved and consulted in the conservation of the natural environment.

This project will support Aboriginal people in the practice, promotion and renewal of their cultures and will ensure the presentation of the cultural values of national parks and reserves through the interpretation of those values. It will contribute to enriching visitor experiences through the interpretation of Aboriginal culture by Aboriginal communities.

OEH therefore considers that this project will substantially contribute to interpretation programs that will foster greater understanding and awareness by all Australians, and international visitors, of Aboriginal cultures and the relationship between Aboriginal people and Country. This relationship is intrinsically important to an understanding of the natural and cultural values of NSW national parks.

Click here to visit the OEH website.