Indigenous Desert Alliance Named Earthshot Prize Finalist for Large-Scale Cultural Burning
The Indigenous Desert Alliance, a coalition of 70 ranger groups using traditional fire practices, has become a finalist for the Earthshot Prize.
An alliance of 70 Indigenous ranger teams operating in Central Australia has been named a finalist for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize in the “protect and restore nature” category. The Indigenous Desert Alliance’s Right Way Fire program blends traditional knowledge with modern techniques to conduct targeted burns that lower fuel loads, restore habitats and curb severe bushfires across 145 million hectares—an area four times the size of Germany.
Over the past four years the network has engaged more than 1,300 Indigenous participants and trained 885 rangers. The Earthshot Prize, which awards $1.9 million per category, will announce winners in Mumbai on November 17, with Prince William and CEO Jason Knauf attending. The alliance competes with Bhutan and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, and a win would fund expanded fire protection and cultural-knowledge exchange projects.
Why it matters
The recognition could boost funding for Indigenous fire-management methods that protect vast ecosystems and reduce bushfire risk.
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