6 July 2025
MEET THE NEXT GENERATION OF INDIGENOUS CONSERVATION LEADERS: WWF-AUSTRALIA’S DJARRA DELANEY
As the 2025 NAIDOC Week theme—“The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, Legacy”—echoes across the country, it presents a much-needed opportunity to explore what the next generation of Indigenous conservation leaders can, do and should look like.
Meet WWF-Australia’s Indigenous Land Management Specialist, Djarra Delaney, a Quandamooka man whose work bridges generations, landscapes, and Knowledge systems. From the shores of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) to the corridors of the Bureau of Meteorology and the fieldwork of WWF-Australia, Djarra’s journey is a testament to the enduring strength of First Nations leadership in shaping a sustainable future for all.
Called into the world by Country, destined to protect it
Djarra’s connection with nature started before his life even began. “My name (Djarra) literally means ‘of the land’ in our language”, Djarra says. Even the moment he was born was marked by the culturally significant koalas on Minjerribah signalling emphatically to his Mum that someone very special was about to arrive.
“The night before I was born, the koalas started calling out from the trees, and were, just really loud. So Mum always thought that they were kind of calling me into the world. Ever since then I really feel like, quite a deep connection with koalas and kind of feel a kinship to them.”
WWF-Australia’s Indigenous Land Management Specialist
Djarra’s earliest memories of nature are steeped in the biodiverse beauty of Quandamooka Country. He recalls childhood weekends at One Mile Jetty on Minjerribah. They were times of family connection spent fishing, swimming and walking through the bush — vivid moments surrounded by koalas, kangaroos, dugongs, dolphins and green turtles. “It made a huge difference for me in my life,” Djarra says. “Being able to enjoy that environment, go for swims on the beach, get out on a boat on Moreton Bay. I’m very thankful for that.”
These formative experiences laid the foundation for a life devoted to Caring for Country. But Djarra’s path has never been linear—it’s been shaped by a deep curiosity, academic rigour, and a commitment to community.
From philosophy to seasonal Knowledge: bridging systems of understanding life, climate and beyond
After studying communications and philosophy at the University of Queensland, Djarra joined the Bureau of Meteorology, where he helped develop the 2017 Indigenous Weather Calendar. This project showcased seasonal knowledge from First Nations communities across Australia, integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with Western meteorological science.
“It was the Bureau’s attempt to host seasonal weather calendars online,” he explains. “It was my first big role in First Nations landscape environments.”
Later, as the Bureau’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Coordinator, Djarra worked to improve the Indigenous Weather Knowledge website—an initiative that continues to serve as a vital bridge between Indigenous seasonal Knowledge and national climate understanding.
Download these very special Indigenous seasons social media celebration assets from WWF - Australia by clicking the link below:
This experience sparked a deeper interest in climate science, leading him to pursue a Master of Environment at the University of Melbourne, with a focus on climate change adaptation and community engagement. His current PhD research further explores the social geographies of climate adaptation in First Nations contexts, examining the barriers and opportunities for Indigenous communities facing climate impacts.
First Nations values are central to conservation success
Today, Djarra serves as the Indigenous Land Management Specialist at WWF-Australia, where he ensures that First Nations values are at the heart of conservation efforts. His role is not just about managing projects—it’s about listening, advocating and amplifying community voices.
“My job is to ensure that those community values are the priority,” he says. “It’s really about working in service of that goal.”
One of the most impactful areas of his work has been supporting cultural fire projects across the country—from the Wet Tropics with the Djabugay Rangers to the Burdekin region and down to Yuin Country in New South Wales.
Sometimes, surveying some of the impacts of habitat destruction can be affecting to witness in person.
"We're at a critical turning point [on climate change]. We either make the investment as a people in the environment, or we see it continue to become more unpredictable, more dangerous."
WWF-Australia’s Indigenous Land Management Specialist
These initiatives, often in partnership with groups like the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) Rangers, are restoring ancient fire practices that protect biodiversity and reduce bushfire risk.
“Cultural fire is an incredibly critical element of landscape management in Australia,” Djarra explains. “Our forests and ecosystems are crying out for that type of intervention.”
These projects are not isolated—they’re deeply interconnected with species protection, ecosystem restoration and community resilience. Whether it’s platypus monitoring in Djabugay Country or fireproofing koala habitat on Minjerribah, Djarra’s work reflects a holistic approach to conservation rooted in Indigenous Knowledge.
A proud legacy of non-conformity and advocacy
Djarra’s commitment to climate justice and sustainability is deeply influenced by his family. His mother, a cross-cultural communications expert with a doctorate, instilled in him the value of education and critical thinking. His late father, a community worker and staunch advocate for Aboriginal rights, taught him the importance of challenging systems and standing firm in his values.
“They’re both ultra-smart and politically mobile,” he says. “Everyone in my family—they’re always pushing for something better.”
This ethos of non-conformity has guided Djarra’s activism, including his role in opposing the Toondah Harbour redevelopment proposal—a project that threatened the Ramsar-listed wetlands in Moreton Bay. He recently helped organise a community petition and delivered it to the Environment Minister, contributing to the federal government’s decision to reject the proposal.
He’s also deeply concerned about the environmental impacts of the upcoming Brisbane Olympics and the Port of Brisbane expansion, both of which pose risks to Quandamooka Country. “It challenges our ethics around custodianship,” he says. “It is our duty to protect our environment and ensure it is available in its current state—and better—for our next generations.”
The Next Generation: A really formidable force powered by Elder wisdom
For Djarra, the 2025 NAIDOC Week theme is a call to action at a critical time for Australia and the nature that makes it so unique. He sees the potential in young people to act as change agents while honouring the legacy and wisdom of older conservation leaders.
“There are more young people now who are educated in specific fields, who can speak to problems in a different way,” he says. “While carrying the energy and the Knowledge of their Elders—that creates a really formidable force.”
He believes young mob must be an active part of informing environmental policy and legislation, not just because they will inherit the consequences, but because they have the vision and strength to demand better.
“Why should achieving the bare minimum be considered a win?” he asks. “There are moral and ethical obligations to improving our circumstances beyond that.”
But he also acknowledges the challenges—apathy, fatigue, and the overwhelming scale of environmental and social issues. His advice to young people is clear: “Don’t settle for subpar answers to big problems. Push as hard as you can. You’re not doing it alone.”
Allies and amplifiers: the role of non-Indigenous Australians
Djarra is equally passionate about the role non-Indigenous Australians can play in supporting Indigenous-led conservation. He emphasises the importance of amplifying First Nations voices and engaging with communities at a grassroots level.
“Go to the community events, go to the music events, go to the dances,” he urges. “You’ll see that our values align.”
He believes reconciliation is not a First Nations problem—it’s a shared responsibility. “Australia is stolen land. It hurts to say it, it hurts to hear it. Because it is true. Until that original problem is addressed with unity, we can’t move forward.”
Australia as a healthier country in every sense of the word
At the heart of Djarra’s work is a profound sense of duty—not just cultural, but human. He speaks with urgency about the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and the moral imperative to act.
“Every time a little insect or a frog or a bird or a small marsupial goes extinct, it should be a wake-up call for all of us,” he says. “It is a moral requirement to help and to change.”
As NAIDOC Week 2025 unfolds, Djarra Delaney’s story reminds us that the strength of the next generation lies not only in their energy but in their connection to legacy. It is a legacy of action, resilience, and audacious hope—a legacy carried forward by those who walk with Country, speak truth to power, and believe in an achievable future where reconciliation and prioritising nature are not just ideals, but lived realities. A future where Australia is a healthier country in every sense of the word.