What do virtual reality and healthy country have in common?

Imagine exploring Nyikina Mangala country from the comfort of a lounge room in Broome, or in Perth, or even in Paris … Discussions are currently underway between The Nature Conservancy, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) and the Kimberley Land Council, around the development of a virtual reality (VR) project. The idea is to make people aware that Traditional Owners have a complex and sophisticated relationship with country, and to change the narrative around indigenous land management so there’s a focus on the criticality of our role in achieving sustainable solutions. VR might be a good way to do this, as an immersive video platform can evoke greater empathy and connection with the subject of the film. 

But this isn’t all … WAC have received funding from the Nature Conservancy to develop a Healthy Country Plan, which will provide a blueprint for the conservation and management of Nyikina Mangala country. Additionally, The Nature Conservancy are working with us on developing a world-first variation on the ‘Development by Design’ tool. Generally, ‘Development by Design’ assesses the impacts of future developments on natural systems, and offers solutions for ensuring their health over the long-term. Walalakoo are working with the Nature Conservancy to add an additional function to the tool—the ability to measure the impacts of development on cultural values. This project is happening in tangent with the Healthy Country Plan. We’ll be back in touch soon with more details!