A Transformative Murray-Darling Basin Billabong and River Ranger Initiative

Join Professor Troy Meston, Team Lead of the First Nations Research Portfolio for One Basin CRC, and his team as they share insights into their River Recovery Futures Alliance (Billabong Project) — a transformational initiative that brings together science, culture, and community across the Murray–Darling Basin.

This webinar aims to open conversation and collaboration — inviting researchers, organisations, and First Nations communities to connect, share ideas, and help bring this important work to life.

The project responds to shared challenges that affect us all: declining water quality, biodiversity loss, climate extremes, and the need to restore Country through First Nations-led care and knowledge systems.

Together, we can explore how evidence-based, culturally grounded approaches can drive positive change across the Basin.

Explore the project here: River Recovery Futures Alliance (Billabong Project) 

Research Objectives:

This pioneering work seeks to:

• Demonstrate a proof of concept for an integrated, trauma-informed transition program within an operational ranger setting in a disadvantaged regional area.
• Evaluate readiness and impact using culturally appropriate methods and bio-marker baselines for neuro/toxic stress.
• Strengthen education, retention, and professional development through trauma-informed and culturally safe approaches.
• Build partnerships that elevate First Nations-led, evidence-based programming by blending traditional knowledge, scientific evaluation, and cultural healing.
• Develop a pilot framework to enable clear pathways for scaling up across other ranger programs in the Murray–Darling Basin.