Indigenous Desert Alliance
Indigenous Desert Alliance is an Australian nonprofit that connects 66 Indigenous ranger teams across 2.7 million km² of desert country through the IDA Network, IDA Foundation grants, accredited biodiversity methods, conferences, and Desert Hub facilities, serving Traditional Owners and land management partners in WA, NT, and SA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersPerth, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Indigenous Desert Alliance does
Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) is an Australian nonprofit charitable organization, registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and operating under the legal name Indigenous Desert Alliance Limited, headquartered at 587 Newcastle St, West Perth, with regional offices in Alice Springs (Northern Territory) and Broome (Western Australia). Its core function is to serve as the connective backbone for 66 Indigenous desert ranger teams across 28 Indigenous Protected Areas, collectively managing approximately 45% of Australia's National Reserve System across 2.7 million km² of desert country in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia. The organization links ranger teams, Traditional Owners, government agencies, and conservation partners through coordinated programming rather than a single product.
The IDA's core offerings span the IDA Network (coordination, conferences, working groups, and ranger exchanges), the IDA Foundation (grant-based funding, with 15 grants awarded between 2023 and 2025), the Desert Habitat Method accredited by Accounting for Nature in 2022, and emerging Desert Nature Markets products (Savanna Fire Management Northern Arid Zone and Rangelands Habitat Method). Underlying technology includes co-designed Fulcrum mobile data collection forms and live dashboards built with Right Place Geo, Celium networked trapping devices with email alerts, AI-powered Felixer grooming traps that use computer vision for feral animal control, and aerial bilby survey protocols integrating traditional tracking with helicopter-based mapping. Supporting infrastructure includes the Desert Hub meeting place in Perth, the biennial IDA Conference (2026 at Uluru), the Ranger of the Year Awards, the Desert Internship Program, and the Desert Stories content library.
IDA's business model is donation- and grant-driven rather than commercial. Revenue comes from philanthropic donations (one-time or monthly/quarterly, tax-deductible from $2), the IDA Foundation's pooled philanthropy from individuals, family trusts and companies, and Australian Government programs including Working on Country and the Saving Native Species Program. Conference attendance is free for Indigenous ranger teams, the Desert Hub is free for IDA Members with discounted rates for other not-for-profits, and government funding flows through partner ranger organizations. The organization is Indigenous-led, with CEO Sam Murray (Yilka/Wongutha/Nyoongar) and People & Culture Officer Jade Bromilow (Yilka/Ngaanyatjarra/Narrunga), and is governed by a Board with no disclosed parent company, private equity, or institutional investor ownership.
Indigenous Desert Alliance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Indigenous Desert Alliance
- Legal name
- Indigenous Desert Alliance Limited
- Website
- https://indigenousdesertalliance.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Indigenous Desert Alliance is an Australian nonprofit that connects 66 Indigenous ranger teams across 2.7 million km² of desert country through the IDA Network, IDA Foundation grants, accredited biodiversity methods, conferences, and Desert Hub facilities, serving Traditional Owners and land management partners in WA, NT, and SA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Indigenous Desert Alliance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indigenous Land Management Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Professional Organizations (81392), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Donor Coordination & Aid Effectiveness (BPADAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management (BPADAOAC), Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF)
Keywords
Where Indigenous Desert Alliance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Perth
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Indigenous Desert Alliance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- IDA Foundation Grants: The IDA Foundation provides grant-based funding to Indigenous desert ranger teams. Created by desert rangers for desert rangers, it funds activities providing social, cultural, economic, and environmental outcomes in the Australian desert. Draws on philanthropy from individuals, family trusts, and companies.
- Donations: The organization accepts donations to support the globally significant living desert and the work of Indigenous rangers. Gifts of $2 or more may be tax deductible.
- Government Programs: Ranger programs are primarily funded through the Australian Government's Working on Country program, providing employment for Indigenous rangers. The IDA coordinates with government programs and receives support from various government agencies for specific projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time | Free attendance for Indigenous rangers |
| Subscription | Monthly | Donation-based support |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Indigenous Desert Alliance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) is an Australian registered charity that operates a national network coordinating and supporting 66 Indigenous ranger teams working across Australia's desert regions. It delivers coordinated support through funding, training, knowledge sharing, conservation program delivery, and an annual conference. The organization channels donations and grants into on-the-ground desert land management, habitat restoration, and savanna fire management activities led by Aboriginal ranger teams.
Product overview
Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) operates as a network organization supporting Indigenous ranger teams across Australia's desert regions. The organization offers a coordinated platform connecting 66 ranger teams who manage approximately 45% of Australia's National Reserve System. Key programs include the IDA Network for ranger coordination, the IDA Foundation for grant-based funding, the Desert Habitat Method (accredited by Accounting for Nature in 2022) for biodiversity measurement, Savanna Fire Management for carbon credits, and Rangelands Habitat Method for nature repair markets. Additional offerings include the Desert Hub facility in Perth, biennial IDA Conferences, Ranger of the Year Awards, and the Desert Internship Program. The organization also produces Desert Stories content documenting ranger work and cultural activities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IDA Foundation: Philanthropic fund created by desert rangers for desert rangers, providing grant-based funding to Indigenous desert ranger teams to protect and restore the globally significant living desert.
Products and services
- IDA Network A national coordination network connecting 66 Indigenous ranger teams across Australia's desert regions, providing peer support, knowledge sharing, and collective representation for member ranger teams.
- IDA Foundation A grant funding program that channels financial support to Indigenous ranger teams and Aboriginal corporations for on-the-ground land management, conservation, and cultural heritage activities.
- Desert Habitat Method A conservation methodology developed by IDA to guide desert habitat restoration, combining traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation science for use by Indigenous ranger teams.
- Savanna Fire Management A coordinated program supporting Indigenous-led savanna fire management activities across northern and central Australian desert regions, helping reduce uncontrolled late-season bushfires and protect ecosystems.
- Desert Hub A knowledge and training hub that provides Indigenous ranger teams with training resources, technical guidance, and shared best-practice documentation for desert land management.
- IDA Conference An annual national gathering of Indigenous desert rangers, partner organizations, and supporters for skills exchange, networking, and showcasing ranger-led conservation outcomes.
Quantifiable outcome
- 66 ranger teams managing 45% of Australia's National Reserve
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Indigenous Desert Alliance
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Indigenous Desert Alliance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
Indigenous Desert Alliance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Thin Green LinecorePartner organization that hosts and facilitates the Desert Women's Leadership Trip, a professional development opportunity for Indigenous women rangers to visit Melbourne and build leadership skills including public speaking and presenting.
- Kimberley Land CouncilcoreSupports the Northern Deserts Fire Working Group (NDFWG), a key fire planning tool for Kimberley rangers and Traditional Owners to plan collaborative fire work for the year ahead.
- Charles Darwin UniversitymajorAcademic partner supporting the Northern Deserts Fire Working Group, contributing research expertise to desert fire management planning.
- Environs KimberleymajorEnvironmental organization supporting the Northern Deserts Fire Working Group in the Kimberley region.
- Right Place GeocoreTechnology partner that worked with SA ranger teams including Far West Coast Rangers to co-design data collection tools using Fulcrum apps and live dashboards for monitoring ranger work impacts.
- NESP Resilient Landscapes HubcoreNational Environmental Science Program partner supporting multiple projects including Great Desert Skink recovery, aerial baiting trials, and biodiversity monitoring through methods like the Desert Habitat Method.
- WA Feral Cat Working GroupmajorOne-stop resource for all feral cat related information including impact on country, management tips, and responsible pet cat ownership guidance.
- Central Land CouncilcoreBased in Alice Springs, manages a ranger network across Central Australia. Hosts the Warlpiri Rangers and collaborates on the Yitaki Mani (reading the country) training program.
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)majorRegulatory body with which IDA is registered as a charity. IDA displays the ACNC Registered Charity badge on its website.
- NGOSourceminorOrganization that has verified the IDA's status as a non-governmental organization.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Indigenous Desert Alliance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Torres Strait Regional Authority: Statutory authority representing Torres Strait Islander communities and supporting ranger and land management programs. Comparable mandate in Indigenous land stewardship but focused on island and marine environments rather than desert.
- Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation: Indigenous development organization supporting ranger and land management programs in Cape York, Far North Queensland. Operates a comparable model (Indigenous-led land management, ranger employment, cultural preservation) but in a tropical rather than desert region.
Direct peers
- Northern Land Council: Represents Traditional Owners across the Northern Territory and oversees a large ranger network operating in overlapping desert country. Comparable in mandate (Indigenous land management, ranger employment, IPA stewardship) and geography to IDA.
- Ngaanyatjarra Council (Aboriginal Corporation): Represents Ngaanyatjarra Traditional Owners across a vast desert region spanning WA, SA, and NT. Operates Ngaanyatjarra Rangers and supports cultural and land management activities in country that overlaps with the IDA Network.
- Central Land Council: Represents Traditional Owners across Central Australia and directly hosts ranger teams (e.g., Warlpiri Rangers) that participate in the IDA Network. Operates a comparable land management and ranger employment mandate over a similar desert geography, and is a documented partner of IDA.
- Kimberley Land Council: Indigenous-controlled organization representing Traditional Owners in the Kimberley region of WA. Coordinates ranger and fire management programs in the same northern desert geography as IDA, and is a documented partner supporting the Northern Deserts Fire Working Group.
- Thin Green Line Foundation: International NGO that supports park rangers and Indigenous rangers worldwide, including co-hosting the Desert Women's Leadership Trip with IDA. Highly comparable mission around ranger welfare, training, and recognition across similar geographies.
Broad incumbents
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy: Large private conservation organization managing sanctuaries and conducting ecological programs across Australia, including arid zone projects. Overlaps with IDA on biodiversity outcomes in the desert but does not coordinate Indigenous ranger teams.
- Nature Conservancy Australia: Global conservation NGO operating in Australia with projects in desert and arid regions, including Indigenous partnership programs. Comparable in biodiversity focus but operates a broader, non-desert-specialized portfolio than IDA.
- Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC): Australian Government entity that supports Indigenous-held land and water assets nationally. Provides funding and capacity support to ranger and land management groups including those in the IDA Network, making it a major incumbent funder rather than a peer coordinator.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Indigenous Desert Alliance social profiles
Digital presenceIndigenous Desert Alliance compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Indigenous Desert Alliance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Indigenous Desert Alliance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Indigenous Desert Alliance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Indigenous Desert Alliance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Indigenous Desert Alliance
What does Indigenous Desert Alliance do?
Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) is an Australian registered charity that operates a national network coordinating and supporting 66 Indigenous ranger teams working across Australia's desert regions. It delivers coordinated support through funding, training, knowledge sharing, conservation program delivery, and an annual conference. The organization channels donations and grants into on-the-ground desert land management, habitat restoration, and savanna fire management activities led by Aboriginal ranger teams.
Is Indigenous Desert Alliance a public or private company?
Indigenous Desert Alliance is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Indigenous Desert Alliance founded?
Indigenous Desert Alliance was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Indigenous Desert Alliance based?
Indigenous Desert Alliance is headquartered in Perth, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Indigenous Desert Alliance make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. IDA Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are donations and government Programs.
Who are Indigenous Desert Alliance's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Torres Strait Regional Authority and Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation. Direct peers are Northern Land Council, Ngaanyatjarra Council (Aboriginal Corporation), Central Land Council, Kimberley Land Council and Thin Green Line Foundation. Broad incumbents are Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Nature Conservancy Australia and Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC).
Does Indigenous Desert Alliance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Indigenous Desert Alliance.
What industry is Indigenous Desert Alliance in?
Indigenous Desert Alliance's product category is Indigenous Land Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAA, Donor Coordination & Aid Effectiveness, with a secondary code of BPADAOAC, Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.