In 2011 the Wunambal Gaambera people dedicated Stage One of the Uunguu Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in the north Kimberley – one of the most spectacular land and seascapes in the world. Stage Two was declared in 2015 and the IPA now covers over 759,806 hectares.
Uunguu has been home to the Wunambal Gaambera people for many thousands of years and is part of the Wanjina Wunggurr culture. Like their ancestors, Wunambal Gaambera people call their country Uunguu – ‘our living home’. Uunguu Rangers are based at Kalumburu Community, but have established a seasonal base at Garmbemirri on Anjo Peninsula and also work out of Kandiwal Community at Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau).
Uunguu Rangers have a mammoth task looking after their land and sea country. Their operations include pest control, visitor management through the Uunguu Visitor Pass, cultural heritage conservation, monitoring the health of plants and animals and Right-way Fire. Right-way Fire enables Traditional Owners to be the decision makers about fire management. A mosaic of fires are burnt in the cool season to prevent wildfires in the hot dry season racing through vast stretches of land, damaging cultural places and plant and animal habitat.
