Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Elders’ wisdom and connection to Country

To gather Traditional Ecological Knowledge about Heathcote Ridge, rangers speak with Elders. They discover how to make items such as spears and coolamons, identify medicinal and edible plants and animals, and practice land management and cultural burning. This connection to Country helps preserve First Peoples languages, knowledge and cultural practices for future generations. Rangers also consult with Sutherland Shire’s Cultural Aboriginal heritage officer.

Researching knowledge

To take a historical look at traditional ecological knowledge, Dr Howard Smith, GLALC’s Chief Scientist created an Assessment of Traditional Ecological Knowledge at Heathcote Ridge  This report, which you can download here, looks at publicly available documents and photographs to see how First Peoples have managed land and water in the area, from now to before colonialisation.

The report says documents show that Mill Creek - that runs through the Heathecote Ridge property - provided a rich food source for First Peoples. This included wild honey, oysters, kangaroos, wallabies, goannas and black bream, as well as various edible seeds, berries and nuts. The report says acacia bark was used as an anaesthetic and to stun fish, while grass trees were used for resin and spear shafts. 

A survey of biodiversity, wildlife and plants at Heathcote Ridge - done about 12 years ago and included in the report -  found that relatively little has changed since pre-colonial times. The woodland, health, forest and wetland plant species are surprisingly intact, considering all the urban development in the rest of Western Sydney.

Dr Smith also found evidence of 171 culturally significant sites along the ridge line and the creek. These sites include artworks, engravings, grinding grooves, stone artefacts and evidence of shelters. His report recommended further research to establish the cultural importance of these sites.

Downloadable PDF of TEK report here