Impact Areas

As the world increasingly recognises the urgent need to restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity, First Nations-led solutions are gaining momentum.

In Western Australia, NLE is at the forefront of this movement, supporting regenerative land practices that blend traditional ecological knowledge with modern environmental management. NLE members are actively engaged in human-induced regeneration - restoring native landscapes.

These practices unlock new opportunities through carbon markets and Aboriginal ranger programs. NLE also advocates for the inclusion of Aboriginal voices in environmental markets and policy, helping ensure that restoration efforts bring direct benefits to Noongar people and communities.

Through its native tree farm, Boola Boornap, NLE is contributing to revegetation efforts to restore land and bring back biodiversity. With increasing demand across the Wheatbelt for native seedlings and First Nations-led services, NLE is building a thriving sector that connects cultural knowledge with practical, on-ground impact.

NLE continues to act as a collective voice for its members - driving thought leadership, advocacy, and the co-creation of innovative land management models that respect boodja (country) and support long-term prosperity for Aboriginal landowners.

With growing demand for native Australian ingredients across food, retail, and pharmaceutical markets, NLE is helping bring Noongar Boodja ingredients - often overlooked in favour of East Coast species - to market.

Consumers and businesses alike are increasingly seeking produce that is ethically sourced, culturally authentic, and environmentally sustainable. First Nations people are uniquely placed to lead this industry, offering not only high-quality produce, but also knowledge systems that regenerate the land and honour cultural values.

NLE is playing a vital role in enabling its members to enter and thrive in the bush foods industry. Through hands-on support in species selection, cultivation techniques, and project management, NLE helps members explore innovative land uses that generate income and deliver broader social, environmental, and cultural benefits. Initiatives already underway include the harvesting and distribution of wattle seeds, honey production, and the planting of high-value native species.

NLE also works to ensure the integrity and recognition of Noongar knowledge in bush foods supply chains. By exploring certification and provenance systems, engaging with IP Australia on trademark protections, and supporting community-informed decision-making, NLE is setting a new benchmark for ethical native food production.

As the market matures, NLE is well positioned to support its members in becoming significant contributors to the national bush foods sector - creating jobs, protecting culture, and connecting Noongar-grown products with an increasingly conscious marketplace.

Though First Nations people manage more than 40 per cent of Australia’s landmass, and this is growing, they remain vastly underrepresented in mainstream agriculture. NLE is working to change that.

Representing a significant portion of First Nations primary producers, NLE supports members to adopt culturally-appropriate, commercially-viable practices that regenerate land, strengthen communities, and support long-term economic participation.

Across Noongar Boodja, NLE members are leading sustainable land management through livestock production and farming practices that restore soil health, biodiversity, and cultural landscapes. Their work includes rotational grazing, low-stress stock handling, and planting native grasses as fodder, as well as converting conventional grazing land into bushland using native species. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge and trialling innovative business models, they’re restoring Country while creating new income streams.

With increasing government support for sustainable agriculture and Indigenous business procurement, NLE is well-positioned to help its members access contracts in agriculture, land restoration, and land management services - even for those without property of their own.

As global demand for ethical, sustainable food production grows - especially across Asia - NLE continues to provide leadership, support, and advocacy. By building skills, strengthening partnerships, and unlocking market access, NLE is helping Noongar members thrive in regenerative agriculture while ensuring cultural knowledge remains at the heart of land stewardship.

These industries offer significant potential for First Nations people to be recognised for the land stewardship they are and have practiced for more than 40,000 years - while also generating income, regenerating Country, and working on land in ways that align with cultural values.

With demand for high-integrity carbon credits expected to grow 15-fold by 2030, NLE is working with members to participate in approved methodologies including native tree planting, integrated farm management, and human-induced regeneration. Native seedlings from NLE’s Boola Boornap nursery are already being supplied to carbon projects, with more opportunities emerging across the south-west of WA.

Initiatives such as carbon farming, nature repair market, natural capital accounting, renewable energy and ESG further support landholders to undertake projects that protect biodiversity and restore native ecosystems. These initiatives align with NLE’s existing work in native seed collection, revegetation, and bushfood production, and can be implemented through Aboriginal ranger programs that create culturally grounded employment.

NLE is also exploring First Nations-owned biomass energy projects that convert woodland and farm by-products into clean energy. With WA’s biomass industry still emerging, growing demand for renewables and carbon offsets presents a key opportunity. By aggregating supply across its network, NLE can help drive this sector, ensuring Noongar people lead the shift to a fairer, more sustainable economy grounded in traditional knowledge.

Visitors to Western Australia are increasingly seeking authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences, yet participation remains low despite high interest - highlighting a clear market gap.

First Nations tourism offers more than storytelling; it drives broader social, economic, and cultural outcomes. It supports employment, funds community programs, strengthens cultural resilience, and provides new income streams through art, bush foods, and accommodation. By sharing Noongar culture and history, tourism becomes a means of cultural rejuvenation while also creating jobs and economic growth on Country.

Agritourism is also on the rise, with more than 1.8 million visitors engaging in on-farm experiences annually and contributing over $9 billion to the national economy. While WA’s agritourism has historically focused on wine regions, there is growing interest in hands-on, meaningful experiences, offering NLE members a clear advantage. Many already operate diverse land-based enterprises, making the integration of tourism a natural extension of existing activities.

NLE is uniquely positioned to deliver “agri-cultural” tourism - an immersive experience that combines farming, food, land care, and Aboriginal culture. From bushfood tastings to guided walks, cultural storytelling, art workshops and better understanding First Nations participation in agriculture, these experiences create new markets for NLE members while attracting more visitors to regional communities. 

With a coordinated approach, NLE can support the development of tourism routes and collaborative ventures that showcase the richness of Noongar Boodja and generate long-term value for members and visitors alike.