ACCESS Seminar: How can we re-envision care for weeds? Indigenous weed management on the Shoalhaven River

Abstract

The challenges posed by invasive plants include not only ecological disruption and biodiversity loss but also complex management and ethical dilemmas. These issues point to a critical gap in how care is conceptualised and practised in weed management. Addressing these challenges requires reframing care as a gentle practice that aligns with the natural rhythms of Country, while acknowledging and honouring weeds as part of cultural and ecological systems.

This paper draws on a case study of the Shoalhaven River (referred to as River) in New South Wales, Australia, to explore the ethical and practical dimensions of care in the context of weed management. Three key methods shape this approach. First, yarning with Country, an Indigenous research method, is central, incorporating insights from Aboriginal cultural knowledge holders and weed managers connected to River. Second, storytelling about yarns with weeds highlights relational narratives and experiences with invasive plants. Finally, reflections on Travels (dreams) provide a spiritual and interpretative lens, offering deeper insights into the interconnectedness of care, culture, and Country.

The analysis demonstrates that care practices in weed management are intertwined with relationships to Country, emphasising gentleness, rhythm, and timing. Participants shared how these practices align with cultural and ecological values, allowing invasive plants to teach people about coexistence and management. The study revealed that care practices toward invasive plants are deeply intertwined with relationships to Country, emphasising gentleness, rhythm and timing. These themes emerged through yarns, Travels, and stories shared by participants. Through these relationships, invasive plants can teach people how to manage them in ways that align with cultural and ecological values.

Centring Indigenous knowledge systems in contemporary weed management practices can lead to more ethical, effective, and sustainable outcomes. By advocating for care-based approaches that focus on learning from invasive plants and nurturing relationships with them, this paper calls for the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge as a fundamental part of managing Country in land management programs.

Biography

Dr Crystal Arnold is a geographer and lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at UOW. Her research explores human-nonhuman relationships, Indigenous knowledge systems, and environmental crime and justice. Crystal recently completed her PhD, titled 'What teachings are being shared by weeds? Lessons from the Shoalhaven River,' focused on learning from invasive plants how to address invasive species through Country, Indigenous ways of knowing and more-than-human geographies. Crystal’s research weaves Aboriginal cultural and scientific knowledge and environmental science, with a particular emphasis on healing Country. She has published in high-impact journals, and actively contributes to community engagement and Indigenous-led environmental education. In her role at UOW, Crystal teaches into human geography and environmental crime, centering Indigenous perspectives and Country to inspire sustainable and reciprocal practices in her students.