Case Study 3: Wattle blossoms signal cool burns on Banbai Nation (Wattleridge, New South Wales)

Case Study 3: Wattle blossoms signal cool burns on Banbai Nation (Wattleridge, New South Wales)

The Peoples of the Banbai Nation of the northern tablelands in New South Wales watch for the flowering of wattle to know when to start low intensity fires. This practice is part of their cultural burning traditions and helps maintain a healthy landscape. ⁰

Community / Place

The Banbai Nation cares for the 650 hectare Wattleridge Indigenous Protected Area near Guyra on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Declared in 2010, Wattleridge is the first Indigenous Protected Area in NSW and is managed by Banbai Enterprise Development Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with the Firesticks Alliance. ^{0 0}

Seasonal or sensory cues

The Banbai Fire and Seasons Calendar shows that late winter to early spring (August–September) is marked by mass wattle flowering; wattles are traditional “indicator plants” that tell people when to use fire, move camp or harvest resources. ⁰ Rangers also feel crisp early morning air and notice spear grass curing to straw, confirming conditions for gentle flame.

Caring action

Following these cues, Banbai Rangers ignite thin lines of fire in the late afternoon. The flames creep “like water down the hill,” leaving unburnt islands for small animals. ⁰ Post-burn monitoring reported on ABC Gardening Australia found:

• more seedlings of the threatened black flowered grevillea emerge after cool burns than after hot hazard reduction fires

• low flames retain ground layer shelter for echidnas (Kukra), reducing predation risk

• reduced fuel loads helped shield rock art panels during the 2019 Black Summer bushfires. ⁰

Why it matters

Wattle blossom links a vivid plant signal to a caring action that heals Country; early, cool fire promotes native plant diversity, safeguards cultural sites, and lowers the danger of late-season wildfires. The Banbai example shows students that reading natural signs leads directly to respectful land care.