Membership

Land managers & owners build tomorrow’s market, today.
At NLE, we are proud to walk alongside our members and the broader Noongar community in the journey to reconnect with Country and build strong, culturally appropriate, commercially sustainable enterprises. Our work is grounded in a shared commitment to care for Country and support the aspirations of Noongar landowners and managers - those who hold deep cultural knowledge and a vision for a thriving future.
This membership network represents a growing and dynamic group of Noongar-led organisations who are turning connection to land into meaningful opportunities - cultural, social, environmental and economic. From restoration and ranger programs to bush food cultivation, tourism, and cultural education, our members are leading the way in transforming passive land tenure into active, purposeful stewardship with 40,000 plus years of cultural knowledge.
NLE is here to back that transformation. We support existing businesses while helping to identify new and emerging opportunities across Noongar Boodja. At the heart of this work is self-determination: empowering our people to shape and lead the change they want to see.


Meet our members who are leading First Nations impact areas on Noongar Boodja
Benefits of becoming an NLE member
As an NLE member, you’re part of a network committed to restoring Country and building a thriving Noongar land-based economy. NLE is a respected voice in land restoration and conservation, sharing knowledge gained through projects and market development for the direct benefit of members.
We advocate for members in research, policy, and thought leadership while supporting participation in land-based projects that reflect Noongar values and knowledge. These opportunities may generate economic returns or contribute to broader cultural and environmental outcomes.
Members also benefit from the power of collective scale - through shared branding, access to trials and new techniques like bush foods propagation, and stronger supply chain connections. This collaborative approach builds resilience, supports strategic decision-making, and creates space for long-term success.

Eligibility
In order to be eligible for NLE membership the entity or individual needs to meet the following criteria:
A person or entity who, is a First Nations person or a First Nations Entity, as defined, affirm their agreement with the Objects of the Association and agree to comply with these Rules may apply to become a member.
The object is to develop culturally appropriate, commercially sustainable land-based enterprises to enable the development of a First Nations land-based economy on Noongar Boodja (country) and support self-determination of its members.
This will include;-
- Recognise and develop First Nations people’s culturally appropriate land care procedures;
- Develop and maintain sustainable land-based enterprises for the benefit First Nations people;
- Develop and maintain a First Nations land-based economy to provide meaningful employment and sustain the community;
- Support the self-determination of the First Nations people; and
- To undertake such other activities as are incidental to or for the benefit First Nations people.

Interested in becoming an NLE member? Get in touch today.
Application Requirements
An application in writing (electronic or paper based) is required. With the following information to be provided:
- An application letter signed by the Directors accompanied by the minutes of a meeting held by the applying Entity that clearly articulates that the Entity agrees to applying for NLE membership. For an individual who is applying letter signed by the person applying for NLE membership is required.
- The letter needs to articulate how the Entity or the individual contributes to the objectives listed above and state that they will comply with the NLE rules.
- Where applicable, the applying Entity or individual should provide a copy of the Title Deeds or other appropriate documentation for any landholdings.
- Where it is any Entity that is applying the Entity needs to provide evidence with regard to how it is registered e.g. ORIC, ASIC, Associations Act of WA etc.
- The applying Entity must provide the name of two nominated representatives for the Entity. For an individual applying this is not required. NOTE – the nominated representatives can be changed over time.
- At any given time, the majority of the representatives on the NLE membership must be Noongar.
Membership
