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# The Simpson Desert returns to the care of its first people
- URL: https://www.earthtoseanews.com/simpson-desert-ipa/
- Published: 2026-07-19T02:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-21T13:07:32.000Z
- Description: An area two thirds the size of Tasmania is now Australia's newest Indigenous Protected Area.
- Author: Nicole McMahon
- Tags: Global Good News, All stories

Out on the Uluperte homelands, in the southeast corner of the Northern Territory, families gathered this week to sign something remarkable. A sweep of the Simpson Desert covering 47,311 square kilometres, an area two thirds the size of Tasmania, has been dedicated as Australia's newest Indigenous Protected Area. The East Arrernte and Lower Southern Arrernte people, whose country this has always been, will now care for it formally, with new ranger jobs and a coordinator supported by federal funding over the next two years. The country was looking its best for the occasion. As Central Land Council chief executive Les Turner put it, the desert is fresh and green after recent rain, and all the people are excited and proud.

The dedication carries a bigger story with it. A quarter of Australia's landmass is now under some form of conservation care, on the way to a national goal of 30 per cent by 2030, and Indigenous Protected Areas are doing much of the heavy lifting. It is the same quiet truth our Karajarri sea country story told earlier this month: the oldest care in the world is also the newest form of protection we have. For land custodian Damien Ryder, though, the best part was simpler. It is good, he said, to have families all come together as a group, all involved in the protection of the country.

Our short take: the full story is by **Chelsea Heaney** for Australian Community Media.