In November 2024 I had the incredible privilege of attending the Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) conference “A Decade of Connection” celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the IDA.

The conference was held at Yulara, Uluru and included 54 ranger teams, and approx. 330 attendees including Members of the alliance, IDA staff & supporters. People had travelled thousands of kilometres to get there many doing long road trips in convoy to gather and exchange knowledge, share skills and wisdom.

It was really exciting to see people arriving and reconnecting as the hotels and camp grounds filled with IDA delegates. On arriving at Yulara the sky was moody and a storm was brewing. The groups arriving in the evening had to relocate from the camp ground to hotel rooms, as a huge electrical storm erupted with heavy rain, lightening and claps of thunder. It was a dramatic start to the days that were to follow.

Photo: Rangers at Uluru – image provided by IDA

Day one began with an early morning activity, checking Elliott traps for small mammals and survey Tjakura (great desert skink) burrows with IDA ecologists.

Photo: Tjakura (Great Desert Skink) – image provided by Ali Limb

A beautiful welcome to country was offered along with a performance by Markuku Arts Dancers, following registration. We then gathered for a huge group photo with Uluru in the background.

Photo: Group photo 2024 – image provided by IDA

The conference proceedings then kicked off with an opening address by Boyd Elston (IDA Chair) and Sam Murray (IDA CEO) setting the tone for the days ahead. We participated in a “Reading the Country” tracking quiz, shuffling into groups and identifying insects, animal prints and behaviour patterns.

Across the agenda topics such as protecting species, fire and land management, technology and tools, culture and knowledge sharing, leadership and wellbeing were covered. Many rangers presented across the conference and there was plenty of time to connect and deepen these conversations during breaks.

Photo: Conference presentations – image provided by IDA

We had the opportunity to join different field trips on the second day. I chose to join the Mala Tjukurpa walk, the rangers discussed the impacts of tourism and visitor management. I was shocked to hear what tourists get up to and the behaviour that the rangers are faced with. Some people bring the cremated ashes of loved ones and try to deposit them beneath the rock, others try to carve initials into the rock. It was interesting to hear the innovative strategies discussed to encourage respectful behaviour.

Photo: Mala Tjukurpa walk – image provided by Ali Limb

There was a wonderful celebratory conference dinner on the second night which involved the IDA Ranger Awards.

On day three I joined a break out group NESP culturally significant entities – led by Teagan Shields, Vanessa Westcott and Stephen van Leeuwen about culturally significant plants and animals and how to recognise changes in ecosystems before species become endangered. This was an interactive and inspiring session.

We had the chance to experience the role of drones in remote areas, stepping into a virtual experience of time on country with ranger groups. It was fantastic to see how technology is being used to support caring for country and to connect people who can’t travel to country.

I attended the conference as a member of the IDAF advisory committee and past funder through our family foundation. As I write this the IDA rangers are preparing for the 2026 conference themed “Our Stories, Our Country, Our Climate Future” which will take place in mid-November.

The three day conference was a wonderful insight into the important work rangers are doing across the desert, the value in connecting, exchanging information and celebrating and the role IDA plays to enables this.

The Indigenous Desert Alliance is a national Indigenous-led organisation established to support Desert Rangers working across the vast Australian desert. The IDA is an Alliance of 29 Members who are all not for profit Indigenous organisations working in the Indigenous land management sector. The IDA has relied on philanthropic support to build its impact to keep the desert connected.

Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA)

Indigenous Desert Alliance Foundation (IDAF)