Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) is nestled between ancient rainforest and soaring coastal mountains, where enormous green valleys lead to a stunning coastline and sea brimming with plant and animal life. Dedicated in May 2013, it currently sweeps across 70,135 hectares, taking in parts of two of Australia's renowned world heritage areas – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics.
The Eastern Kuku Yalanji IPA is the traditional home of a number of warra (clans) including the Kuku Nyungkal and the Jalunji-Warra. The Eastern Kuku Yalanji IPA is being established in stages and involves several different warra. It will be managed under two International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories. The Kuku Nyungkal are managing their homelands under category V, which conserves important land and seascapes and other values created by interactions with humans through traditional management practices. The Jalunji-Warra are managing their homelands under category VI which focuses on conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Jabalbina ranger groups, including the Eastern Yalanji Rangers, spearhead this conservation work and looking after country. They have developed cultural management plans, conducted cultural heritage surveys, and implemented fire and pest management plans. They also organise Elders visits to country and host cultural camps for local school children.
