Environmental
Studies

Aria Kitchener conducting environmental field work and turtle conservation on Country.

Jingi Wallah!

( Hello, and welcome! )

Being a blak fella in

environmental conservation and science communication are central to my culture and day-to-day life, shaped by the sunny (and sometimes incredibly flooded) coastal rainforest of Bundjalung Country. The roots of my creativity and storytelling come from my relationship with Country, Culture, and—most importantly—Community.

acknowledgement of Country

Bundjalung Jugun

bundjalung country

NGALI NA JUGUN

We belong to Country

NGALI GARIMA MALA JUGUN

We look after this Country

WANA JANJMA MALA GUNU GALA JUGUN

Don’t do wrong around here in this Country

NGALI WANA JANJA MALA JUGUN

We don’t harm this Country here

NGALI NA MALA JUGUN

We belong to it, this Country

Works Timeline

illustrations on Country

BundjaLung Jugan

Illustration of Waylad (Calypterhynchus funereus), the black cockatoo named in Bundjalung language, perched in native tree branches.

Waylad - Calyptorhynchus funereus

Waylad holds a special place in my mobs hearts, I’ve grown up hearing their calls early in the morning to late in the evening. They are the sign of our hot and stormy season. I have watched their mob grow from only a handful to our most recent season, a large number of over 40+ Waylad flying directly over our house. we can only speculate how their numbers have changed so drastically over the years, All I can say for certain is country is healing with each new fledgling.

Illustrated Wollum (Alectura lathami), brush turkey named in Bundjalung (Arahwal), shown with Mt Wollumbin in the background.

Wollum - Alectura lathami

Living in the extinct 23 million year old shield super volcano, MT Wollumbin stands tall in the center, shielding us from deadly storms. Wollum is a great warrior, their ancestors roam the MT Wollumbin caldera building large leaf litter nests. Wollum is goofy little fellas, I just had to draw them.