Nura Gunyu: Revitalising Ancestral Lands and Preserving Biocultural Knowledge
Nura Gunyu embodies the spirit of regeneration in the face of inevitable challenge, where the deep-rooted wisdom of the Yuin people guides the way to healing and sustaining the land and all who call it home.
Introduction to the Realms to Watch Program:
The ‘Realms to Watch’ program by Guardians of Earth is a ground-breaking initiative designed to support community-led regenerative projects delivering science based approaches integrated with local/traditional knowledge systems.
The Nura Gunyu Nature Realm in Australia, is one of the seven exceptional Nature Realms chosen for this program, exemplifying the power of community-led conservation and restoration. You can learn more about the ‘Realms to Watch’ program in our original post.
Introduction to the Nura Gunyu Realm:
Located on New South Wales’ south coast, Australia, Nura Gunyu is a remarkable realm dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of bio-cultural knowledge. The ancestral knowledge of the traditional custodians of this land, the Yuin people — who have lived on and cared for this land for tens of thousands of years — is held by Budawang elder Uncle Noel Butler, who along with his wife, provide a range of cultural programs alongside caring for their land.
The name Nura Gunyu means “Swan Country” in the Yuin language, reflecting the deep connection the Yuin people have with their land and its natural inhabitants. The mission of Nura Gunyu is to pass on the knowledge of flora and fauna that have sustained, healed, and helped their community, ensuring it is preserved for future generations.
The land of Nura Gunyu, the life it held, along with Uncle Noel and Trish’s home and original Aboriginal cultural centre were devastated by the unprecedented Australian bushfires of 2019–2020. With the support of the local community, Uncle Noel and Trish are restoring the land, rebuilding their home, and re-establishing their cultural centre. Just over 4 years on, in contrast with the surrounding bush, Nura Gunyu stands as a testament of the power of traditional ecological knowledge in healing the environment and building community resilience. Life is returning in abundance, though much work remains.
Below Uncle Noel and Trish Butler share what is special about Nura Gunyu and the impact the ‘Realms to Watch’ program can help them deliver.
What makes Nura Gunyu special?
The land has a variety of Habitats. From Rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest [a type of vegetation that is adapted to long periods of dryness and heat, in this case predominantly Eucalypts], rich alluvial flat with North facing Sydney sandstone ridgeline, and Melaleuca wetlands interconnected with ponds seasonally running. Thus creating an extremely rich biodiversity. We have already started to recreate this from one small area pushing outwards.
This allows us to be able to share and pass on ancient Indigenous Cultural Knowledge of Caring for Country. Through lessons including participating in onsite Cultural Learning for maintaining Aboriginal values of the land.
We certainly have unique features and had to start our bio diversity replenishment since the 2020 fires. We feel that our place has become even more diverse. We have more bird life and insects than before which would be partly because of the high rainfall we have had from 2021–2024.
The destructiveness of the 2020 fire created a temperature of estimated 1500°c which raised the land reducing all living creatures to bones and ash. This has not been previously recorded on this Country. We needed to commence replanting {creating the right habitats} for the replacement of our fauna and flora. This was done by our own personal knowledge of the flora required to bring back the species that maybe had escaped. That is we knew birds that had been previously hatched and raised on this land would return if the right food was planted. This would have to be available all year round for them to stay and reproduce. This we have achieved, with last year 74 species of birds returning and breeding. Powerful Owl, Boobook Owl [permanent] and the Sooty Owl heard only, is evidence that we have a Nocturnal food supply already available.
Our Marsupial Mammals are increasing each year [some endangered] such as Quolls, Feathertail Glider and Antechinus. Also swamp Wallabies, Bandicoots, Possums and one Wombat so far have returned. From 23 fire rescued Joeys from other areas we now have 6 females with their second Joeys.
These results are from personal knowledge including Ancient Cultural Knowledge passed down orally through stories over thousands of years and living in a Cultural connected Environment. We must care for the land, manage it and maintain the balance of all living things within Country. No one thing can dominate another causing it’s demise. Caring for Country for us on the Cultural value, is all living things have the right to live and it is up to us to be responsible for that for all those who follow. This is our Cultural value of land and Country and our responsibility. These are the things we wish to share for others to follow.
If we can do this it may not be the end of the longest living continuing Culture known to Humans. We can all care and share together if given the opportunity.
What is the community’s relationship with Nura Gunya and the life it holds?
Community has had a big hand in helping us return to Country by bringing native plants by the car and truck loads which were then planted by ourselves and the community. Not everyone knew how to plant so we held planting lessons. We shared food and stories. The community was still coming to our place to learn and watch the growth and the return of our Flora and Fauna throughout the first 2 years post fire. It has been said multiple times that nowhere else in our region has the land rebounded and improved to the extent which it has here. This has been because of community assistance.
Each year from 2020 on January 26th (Australia Day — where some celebrate the start of a nation and yet Indigenous Australians mourn the loss of many Nations), up to 100 local community people from all backgrounds offer to return to help heal our land by planting, weeding etc. This year was different! We sat on our replenished land, shared a meal that everyone contributed, told stories, danced, looked across what we had all achieved. Celebrated!!
What do you plan to fund with investment in your Realm?
- We would like to rebuild our Culture Centre where we can continue to educate and mentor others for them to continue management practices and knowledge of a landscape. The new centre will have eco-friendly on-site accommodation, including tiny homes.
- We would also like to continue with the renewal of the landscape to increase potential for biodiversity return.
How will these projects benefit the land and community of the Realm?
These projects will allow us through Nura Gunyu, to provide Ancient knowledge through the (non-formal) education system in conjunction with community; knowledge that is foundational to shaping relationships with nature that are conducive to healthy biodiversity and healthy community.
Beyond this exchange of knowledge, the ‘Realms To Watch’ program is also about aligning the incentives for capital and community to create a truly regenerative culture. The program’s innovative approach treats contributing communities as co-investors, with their own shares, so that they are motivated to enhance ecological value for everyone’s benefit. Additionally, the land itself is also treated as a co-investor, always holding 51% of the Realm’s shares. This symbolises the intrinsic value of the land and its crucial role in sustaining life and prosperity. The land, in effect, is an investor in us.
What’s your vision?
The long-term vision for Nura Gunyu is to create something that will continue forever, that will help land and nature by continuing Cultural practices of LORE. By commencing this, the progress should continue to expand so eventually we have an ongoing system of land management to conserve Cultural practices to benefit all life on this planet.
Nura Gunyu aims to become a global model for indigenous-led conservation and restoration — sharing knowledge with indigenous elders from other countries so that combined we all have greater presence for conservation and preservation of our natural environment.
You Can Get Involved:
Guardians of Earth is sharing this exclusive investment opportunity with our network of influential and values-driven impact investors. There are many ways that you too can be a part of this transformative movement to regenerate our planet and empower communities.
- Follow the Journey: Explore the remarkable stories of each Realm in our “Realms to Watch” series and witness the profound impact of community-led regenerative projects. Follow this blog, or visit our socials (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).
- Apply for the Next Round: The 7 Realms to Watch are the first of many to come. Are you a leader of a regenerative community that deserves to be in the next round?
- Stay Connected: Sign up for our Guardians of Earth (GoE) newsletter to receive the latest updates on the “Realms to Watch” program and other pioneering regenerative initiatives.
- Join the Community: Introduce yourself on the GoE Discord and actively contribute to the discussions that shape this journey.
- Contact Us Directly: Reach out if you have any questions or want to discuss an opportunity.
- Visit Our Website: Visit the Guardians of Earth (GoE) website to learn about the platform that makes this possible.
Act now to support community-led efforts that are revitalising our planet and its communities. Your involvement can drive significant change. Together, we can create a thriving future for all.
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