A parcel of land on Tasmania's north-west coast has been returned to Aboriginal ownership.
Located at Dempster Creek in Loongana, south-west of Ulverstone, the 26-acre title was returned to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) by its previous owners, Barbara and Ian Sale.
ALCT general manager Sarah Wilcox said the area is "a beautiful and quite significant piece of Country".
"We are absolutely beyond excited by this return through such generosity of the Sales," Ms Wilcox told ABC Radio Hobart.
The property's landscape is said to have notable cultural and environmental significance.
"It's filled with natural values. There's white gum forest, there's masked owls that have been seen breeding there, grey goshawks, giant freshwater crayfish, platypus, quolls, devils, you know, it's absolutely stunning," Ms Wilcox said.
Ms Wilcox said the parcel of land has been well cared for by its previous owners.
"It's been cared for for a very long time by [a] landcare group up there, and obviously the Sales leading in that. It's got its own Facebook group," she said.
"It's a really loved area, and that will continue. [We're] really committed to making sure that connection for the people of Loongana continues on that site."
Mr Sale wrote on social media: "After around 42 years of owning and protecting this place we are handing this land back to our First Nations people."
"For people who live in Loongana, and those who visit to walk, fish, paint, discover, kayak, photograph or do sciency things, the place remains open and welcoming," he said
"The conservation of this place is now further strengthened. And for us the connection with this place is undimmed."
The return comes after the ALCT launched Giving Land Back in 2022, a website designed to encourage members of the public to return private land.
In addition to accepting land donations, the initiative also accepts tax deductible donations and land bequests.
$180,000 of its $250,000 target has been raised so far, according to an ALCT's Giving Land Back online fundraiser.
Ms Wilcox said the donated land at Loongana will provide junior rangers with experience training in a new environment.
"What a massive learning opportunity we have now, particularly up in the north-west in the mountain country," she said.
"We've got junior rangers up there who can come along from Lutruwita Tasmannia and Tayaritja the Bass Strait Islands to come and learn about fresh water values.
Ms Wilcox commended the Sales family for their donation.
"They're just really committed to giving Country the opportunity to be returned to the Traditional Custodians of this place," she said.
"They understand that we have that cultural authority and knowledge to be able to care for that country in the right way, in the way that it's been cared for for thousands and thousands of generations.
"We're really thrilled. We're going to have a great partnership with them as well because they will continue to love that place forever, and we recognise that and for all people who love that place."
