Feature photo – Clint Hansen (centre) on Gimlet Ridge speaking with Daniel Green (left) and Charlie Fraser (right) | photo by Barb Howard
Across the semi-arid landscapes of Western Australia, a quiet and powerful movement is underway — one that weaves together ecological restoration, cultural learning, and community-based land stewardship. The Maaman Marra Boodjar project is a collaboration between Edith Cowan University and local regenerative landholders, including Rod and Katrina Butler at Gimlet Ridge and David Martin and Phil Logue at Weelhamby, Perenjori and the Institute of Regenerative Leadership.
At its heart, the project is grounded in a shared belief: that caring for Country is not just about science or farming techniques — it’s about relationships. With the land. With culture. With the people who live and work on it.
Walking Together on Country
At Gimlet Ridge, Rod and Katrina Butler are regenerating a mixed landscape that includes cropping, grazing, and remnant bush. Their focus is on healing degraded soils, building biodiversity, and fostering long-term land health through holistic management and planned grazing. But just as importantly, they opened their gates and minds to deep cultural engagement — working alongside Traditional Owners and the Maaman Marra Boodjar team to create a shared learning space for young people, researchers, and community members.
Meanwhile at Weelhamby, David Martin and Phil Logue are restoring thousands of hectares of former farmland to thriving native bush. Their long-term commitment to revegetation, ecological monitoring, and collaboration with Aboriginal custodians provides a living example of what’s possible when regenerative agriculture and cultural values align.
Growing Knowledge, Regenerating Futures
The Maaman Marra Boodjar project draws on both academic research and on-the-ground experience to support young Aboriginal people in building skills, confidence, and connection to land. Through hands-on training, ecological literacy, and storytelling, the program creates pathways into regenerative land management — not just as jobs, but as a way of life.
In partnership with Edith Cowan University, the project is also contributing to a growing body of knowledge around regenerative agriculture, cultural land care, and community-led models of stewardship. Importantly, it centres the voices and agency of Aboriginal men and their communities in shaping the future of their Country.
Looking Ahead
As the project continues to grow, so too does its impact. The relationships being nurtured at Gimlet Ridge and Weelhamby are models for what’s possible when landholders, Traditional Owners, educators, and communities come together with humility and shared purpose.
This is not just about land management. It’s about regenerating belonging, respect, and the stories that connect us all to Boodjar — the living Country beneath our feet.
This project is supported by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, and the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration.
