Grasslands

Grasslands, Australia’s most threatened ecosystem, hold the key to our nation’s future food security, bushfire prevention, and the self-determination of First Nations peoples. From farmers to policymakers, this groundbreaking emerging knowledge has the potential to transform the future of our country.

Food Security
Humans rely on grassland plants for over 50% of their calorie intake globally, including rice, wheat, and maize. This is a story of the integration of native grains into Australia’s food and feed industries.

Bio Piracy
Indigenous representation in Australia’s bush food industry – from growers to farm managers and exporters – is less than 1 per cent.

Bushfire Prevention
Fire in well-managed native grasslands has lower flame heights, slower flame speed, less radiant heart, and fewer embers, in comparison to introduced grasses.

Climate Breakdown
Grasslands are the best way to sequester carbon quickly because they cover the largest area of the planet, they are perennial and grow quickly.

A world where humanity unites to learn about, nurture, advocate for, and invest in grasslands to restore our planet and food systems while uplifting First Nations people in their pursuit of self-determination.

Impact Goals:

– Activate agency

– Mobilise the movement

– Move the money

– Shift the policy frame
– Conserve, restore, and integrate native grasslands with industry and society

We are joining forces with a diverse group of partners to create a positive impact by engaging relevant sectors and stakeholders. Our goal is to strengthen the initiatives led by youth and grassroots organisations while advocating for corporate and political actions that prioritise the conservation, restoration, and integration of grasslands. It’s essential to recognise native grasslands not only as a vital Australian ecosystem but also to normalise their role in agriculture for food production and ecosystem services, making them a valuable asset for culture and tourism.

Outcomes – including public pressure, policy and legislature change:
– Farming: Normalise the use of native grasses on broad-acre farms.
– Biopiracy: Traditional Owners own the patent over native plants from their Country and reap the royalty payments from commercial sales.
– Industry agreement: 5% native grains in flour, similar to 10% ethanol in fuel.
– Inspire federal government support: Create 1 million acres of native grassland in reference to the US program with 21 million acres.
– Native Seed: Access to diverse, high-quality native seeds at a reasonable cost.
– Futureproofing: Create an Australian national seed bank
– National program: Revegetate roadsides with native grasses.
– Carbon offset market: Champion grasslands as long-term investments.
– Market Incentives: Funding mechanisms to incentivise restoration projects.
– Sector Capacity: A shift in government support for high diversity restoration (as opposed to tree planting).

Producer Lee Ramseyer Bache and Director Ivan Masic have formed meaningful relationships with individuals and organisations dedicated to conserving, restoring and integrating native grasslands in Australia. They have connected with a diverse range of people, including indigenous land managers, farmers, ecologists, local government authorities, artists, native food businesses, and community members. Their involvement in the Grasslands Plains Network and other groups has made valuable contributions to the restoration efforts.

Ivan Masic has an ongoing working relationship with the presenter and Yolngu woman, Leila Gurruwiwi. She is often recognized for voicing the perspectives of two under-represented groups in the AFL community: women and Indigenous Australians. Gurruwiwi’s role as a presenter is specifically designed to make women feel more comfortable and represented, and to acknowledge that caring for plants and grasslands is traditionally ‘women’s business’ in Indigenous culture.

Co-producer Jacob Birch supports the film’s connections and relationships with First Nations communities across Australia. As a Gamilaraay man, he hopes to inspire all of Australia’s diverse Indigenous peoples to promote their principles of relationality, reciprocity, respect, and responsibility, and work towards a vibrant, abundant, sustainable, and equitable future for all.

We want audiences to join the Grasslands movement and get active in accelerating solutions to the manifold crisis we face by:
– Activating a personalised Grasslands action plan
– Sharing the film with family, friends, colleagues, clients, customers and local communities.
– Donating to, fundraising for or investing in native grasslands.
– Purchase native grain products from First Nations suppliers.
– Volunteering or giving in-kind support to organisations working to scale solutions.
– Finding agency to inform, educate, advocate and influence.
– Highlighting solutions and their knock-on benefits when talking about native grasslands.
– Joining or starting a local action group to work collectively towards restoring native grasslands.
– Increase public pressure, built or sustained around native grasslands.
– Advocate for new or improved policies, procedures and implementation.
– Lobby for legislative and funding changes including new legislation and new funding for programs.