Our story

First Nature is an Indigenous-led environmental monitoring and advisory company, with deep expertise across commercial law, Indigenous policy, culture, and environmental technology.

We integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge with advanced monitoring technologies — including environmental DNA, bioacoustics, drones, remote sensing, and AI — to deliver comprehensive environmental insights.

Our approach creates sustainable revenue opportunities for Indigenous communities while meeting growing market demand for cost-effective, reliable environmental data.

First Nature delivers quality-assured environmental data that meets both Indigenous cultural protocols and commercial standards. By positioning Indigenous knowledge at the forefront of environmental assessment and management, we establish new benchmarks for meaningful Indigenous participation, while building long-term Indigenous capacity in the environmental sector.

Tech-Driven Caring for Country

We are redefining environmental assessment by integrating tens of thousands of years of Traditional Ecological Knowledge with the world’s most advanced monitoring technologies. We do not replace ancient landscape management with technology; rather, we use technology to scale and validate cultural insight.

Our comprehensive suite of methodologies includes:

  • Environmental DNA (eDNA): Tracking biodiversity, invasive species, and elusive wildlife through simple water and soil sampling.

  • Bioacoustics: Deploying autonomous acoustic sensors to monitor ecosystem health, bird calls, and fauna activity over extended periods.

  • Drones and Remote Sensing: Mapping terrain, canopy health, and land-use changes from above to capture macroscopic ecosystem data.

  • Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging advanced AI data models to process massive environmental data sets rapidly, identifying trends that human analysis might miss.

Through this synthesis of heritage and hardware, we deliver unparalleled, multi-layered environmental insights that reflect the true state of our ecosystems.

Creating Sustainable Economic Futures

True sustainability must encompass environmental, cultural, and economic dimensions. Our innovative business model addresses the surging global and domestic market demand for cost-effective, reliable environmental data, while simultaneously creating robust, sustainable revenue streams for Indigenous communities.

By commercialising high-tier environmental services on Country, we ensure that corporate and government compliance spend directly funds local economic self-determination. This framework transforms environmental monitoring from a temporary project-based job into a permanent, self-sustaining industry for regional and remote communities.

Rigour, Protocol, and
Commercial Standards

At First Nature, we do not compromise on scientific rigour or cultural integrity. We specialise in delivering quality-assured environmental data that simultaneously meets strict Indigenous cultural protocols and rigorous international commercial standards.

Every data point we collect is ethically sourced, culturally verified, and legally defensible. This dual-assurance framework gives our corporate partners absolute confidence in their ESG and regulatory reporting, while giving Traditional Owners absolute peace of mind that their intellectual property and sacred knowledge remain fully protected.

Setting New Benchmarks for Participation

Ultimately, our mission is to reshape the Australian environmental sector by positioning Indigenous knowledge at the very forefront of modern conservation and corporate land management. We refuse to treat Indigenous engagement as a passive box-ticking exercise.

Instead, we are actively establishing new benchmarks for meaningful, leadership-level Indigenous participation. By embedding training, mentorship, and technical literacy into our operational model, we are building long-term Indigenous capacity within the science and technology sectors — ensuring the next generation of land managers are fully equipped to lead Australia's sustainable future.

First Nature Group provides environmental services in a variety of fields and expertise. Driving change with impact.

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Leadership

First Nature Group is led with a focus on building a commercially credible, Indigenous-owned partner capable of delivering technical excellence and operating seamlessly within major corporate and government procurement environments.

  • James Stephens

    Chief Executive Officer

    James Stephens is a proud Wiradjuri man originally from Narrandera, with deep-seated expertise in aligning Indigenous-led strategy with corporate supply chains. As Chief Executive Officer of First Nature Group, he drives the organisation’s mission to position Traditional Ecological Knowledge at the absolute forefront of modern environmental management and infrastructure delivery.

    His leadership sits directly at the intersection of institutional compliance and grassroots capacity building. James has spent years breaking down procurement barriers for regional and remote communities, championing the philosophy that sustainable land stewardship and technical literacy are the premier drivers for long-term economic independence.

    Prior to leading First Nature Group, James founded and managed Aboriginal Beata Terra, a certified Indigenous consortium specialising in scalable procurement frameworks, civil solutions, and off-grid solar microgrids for remote operations. At First Nature Group, he continues to connect property developers, extractive industries, and government agencies with Traditional Owners — delivering data-backed, audit-ready compliance while systematically establishing new benchmarks for meaningful First Nations leadership.

  • Craig Cromelin

    Land management, viticulture and wine industry leader

    Craig Cromelin is a proud Aboriginal man of Ngiyampaa and Wiradjuri descent whose work sits at the intersection of land, culture and enterprise. Across land management, viticulture and the wine industry, Craig has built a career grounded in care for Country, practical knowledge of place, and a commitment to creating economic opportunities for First Nations people.

    Craig brings deep experience in working with land and landscapes, including the cultural, environmental and commercial decisions that shape how Country is protected, managed and used. His knowledge of viticulture reflects this same connection to place: understanding soil, climate, water, seasons and the patient work required to grow quality fruit and produce wines that carry a genuine sense of Country.

    In the wine industry, Craig was part of the pioneering group behind Murrin Bridge Wines, widely recognised as Australia’s first First Nations-owned and operated vineyard and wine label. That experience helped shape his belief that First Nations people can lead in industries where land, story, craftsmanship and enterprise come together.

    Craig’s leadership also extends to senior governance and advocacy roles, including as an elected representative of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. Today, through Bidja Wines, he continues to celebrate First Nations participation in the wine industry, bringing together viticulture, storytelling and a strong respect for tradition, land and language. The name “Bidja” means “friend” in Ngiyampaa language, reflecting Craig’s commitment to connection, culture and shared experience.