Introduction
The Pilbara epitomises endurance – over geological, evolutionary and cultural timeframes. Geologically, the region is defined by a robust piece of continental crust that has survived billions of years of tectonic upheavals. The Pilbara’s plants and animals – exceptionally diverse for an arid region – are survivors of immense climatic swings, many exemplifying ingenious evolutionary innovations to cope with extremes. And through cultural and technological innovation, The Pilbara’s Aboriginal people have also survived some 50,000 years or more – to now count among the world’s oldest living cultures.
The Pilbara bioregion remains a tough landscape for life – and not just because it is naturally one of the most extreme environments in Australia. Since the late 1800s, human and non-human newcomers have intensified the pressures on life. The consequences, not unique to the Pilbara, have been a diminishment of biodiversity and degradation of landscapes. The Pilbara’s Traditional Owners have suffered the catastrophes of dispossession and cultural suppression.
These are the big challenges in the Pilbara today – to arrest and remediate the harm to nature, and support Traditional Owners to once again thrive, reconnected with their country and strong in culture.
The Pilbara is also the world’s most lucrative iron ore mining province, hailed as the engine room of the Australian economy. Its iron ore mines are Australia’s single largest source of export revenue.
This coincidence of high-value resources with outstanding natural and cultural values means that conservation in the Pilbara must be done differently from elsewhere. With more than 80% of the bioregion under pastoral or mining tenures or both, and just 6% in conservation reserves, the primary conservation focus must realistically be on establishing conservation management on productive landscapes, in partnership with industry, whatever the tenure.
Our vision is for the Pilbara to become the world-leading exemplar of landscape-scale conservation in a region of critical economic importance, delivered through partnerships between Traditional Owners, industry, government and community.
Summary Report
The Pilbara epitomises endurance – over geological, evolutionary and cultural timeframes.
