Caring for Waterscapes in the Anthropocene: Heritage-making at Budj Bim, Victoria, Australia

A sophisticated ancient Aboriginal aquaculture system, practiced by the Gunditjmara people of western Victoria for thousands of years, was one of the world's oldest and most extensive. This system involved swamp engineering and eel farming in the volcanic landscapes of Budj Bim but was disrupted within 150 years of European colonization due to violence, dispossession, and hydrological changes. Recent collaborative efforts have enabled the Gunditjmara to restore the Budj Bim wetlands and revive their cultural practices, demonstrating resilience in adapting to historical and environmental changes. The study uses critical theory and concepts related to waterscapes and hydro-social relations to interpret these efforts, highlighting the community's capacity to negotiate change and care for both past and future heritage.

Jackson, S. (2023). Caring for Waterscapes in the Anthropocene: Heritage-making at Budj Bim, Victoria, Australia. Environment and History, 29(4), 591–611. https://doi.org/10.3197/096734022x16384451127393