On behalf of the Birriliburu ranger team, Senior Ranger Rita Cutter recently visited the Western Australian Herbarium to deliver a plant press full of bush tucker specimens.
A core project for the Birriliburu Ranger Program has been to collate bush tucker (milka) knowledge using a two-way science approach. We've documented the Martu name, common name, scientific name and uses for a range of species and also taken photos and collected specimens.
The specimens Rita delivered will be formally identified and may also be added to the Herbarium’s plant specimen collection.
This project will continue in the years to come as we cover new country through the seasons – there's much more work to be done!
Stephen van Leeuwen and other Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) staff at the Herbarium were there to meet Rita and show her around the facilities.
We learnt about the WA Threatened Flora Seed (wilki) Centre, quarantine procedures including giant freezers (yalta), how the specimens are identified, stored and much more.
We really appreciated the time and support of Stephen and the other DPaW staff who showed us around. We had a great time and look forward to contributing further to the Herbarium in the future.
Find out more about Bush Heritage Australia's partnership with Central Desert Land and Community and the Traditional Owners of Birriliburu country.
Stephen van Leeuwen (Assistant Director, Science), Rita Cutter (Senior Birriliburu Ranger), Rhonda Murphy (Manager, Aboriginal Heritage Unit), Jayden Miller (Project Officer, Aboriginal Heritage Unit), Ryonen Butcher (Research Scientist, WA Herbarium 
Senior Ranger Lena Long collecting Walku, Quandong, Santalum acuminatum. 
Birriliburu Ranger Caroline Long collecting Tjalu, Bush Onion, Cyperus bulbosus. 
Stephen van Leeuwen (Assistant Director, Science), Rita Cutter (Senior Birriliburu Ranger), Ryonen Butcher and Neil Gibson (both Research Scientists, WA Herbarium). 
Rita Cutter outside the Western Australia Herbarium.