BIOSENTINEL BAADA

About the Project

BIOSENTINEL is an Indigenous-led research and development project created by BAADA Aboriginal Corporation to explore new ways of monitoring environmental health while ensuring communities retain ownership and control of the data generated on Country.

The project combines biological monitoring with Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles to create a new model for environmental observation that is both scientifically rigorous and community-governed.

BIOSENTINEL has two monitoring streams:

BSN-WATER

BSN-WATER uses freshwater mussels as living environmental sentinels. The project focuses on Westralunio carteri, a threatened freshwater mussel species found only in Western Australia. Sensors monitor changes in mussel behaviour, including shell opening and closing patterns, which can provide early indications of environmental stress and changes in water quality.

BSN-AIR

BSN-AIR uses beehive monitoring technology to investigate whether bioacoustic signals, such as changes in hive activity and sound patterns, can provide insights into ecosystem health and environmental conditions.

Together, these systems are being developed as low-cost, scalable approaches to monitoring freshwater and terrestrial environments.

The inspiration behind BIOSENTINEL

For generations, Indigenous people have observed and interpreted the behaviour of plants, animals, insects, and waterways as indicators of environmental change. BIOSENTINEL builds on this tradition by exploring how culturally significant indicator species can be monitored using contemporary technologies.

At the same time, the project responds to a growing concern about how environmental data is collected, stored, and used. Too often, communities contribute valuable ecological knowledge and environmental data without retaining control over how that information is governed.

BIOSENTINEL seeks to demonstrate a different approach: one in which environmental monitoring and Indigenous Data Sovereignty are designed together from the beginning.

Why this research matters

Western Australia’s freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity face increasing pressures from climate change, development, and environmental degradation. Despite this, many monitoring programs remain under-resourced and limited in scope.

At the same time, there is growing recognition of the importance of:

Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Community-led environmental governance
Biodiversity and climate-risk reporting
Ethical approaches to ecological monitoring

BIOSENTINEL aims to contribute to these conversations by developing a monitoring platform that not only gathers environmental information but also ensures that data governance remains under community control.

What we want to answer

The project is investigating three key questions:

1. Can biological sentinels provide reliable environmental monitoring?

Can freshwater mussel behaviour and beehive bioacoustic signals function as practical, low-cost indicators of environmental stress and ecosystem health in real-world conditions?

2. Can sovereignty be designed into environmental monitoring systems?

Can hardware, software, and data-management systems be built so that community ownership and control are embedded from the outset rather than added later?

3. Can the model be scaled?

Can a pilot deployment grow into a repeatable platform that supports sovereign environmental monitoring across different locations, species, and communities?

How the research is being conducted

The project is currently in Phase 1 schematic design in partnership with Element Engineering Australia.

As the system is being designed, biological monitoring parameters are being independently reviewed by subject-matter experts to ensure scientific quality and ecological appropriateness.

Governance is being guided by BAADA Aboriginal Corporation’s own decision-making frameworks, including the Galwa Principle and Ewunyoon Mandate. These frameworks apply principles of mutual benefit, cultural accountability, and Traditional Owner co-governance throughout the project lifecycle.

This means that decisions relating to partnerships, data use, and project development are assessed through governance processes established by BAADA, ensuring that sovereignty commitments are embedded in practice as well as technology.

The first field deployment, known as BSN-1, is currently targeted for January 2027.

Data sovereignty and governance

A core objective of BIOSENTINEL is the development of a sovereign-by-design environmental data system.

Environmental monitoring data generated through the project will be authenticated at the point of collection and managed through a Sovereign Data Vault architecture designed to support community control, accountability, and trusted stewardship.

The project is exploring data hosting arrangements under Western Australian research and data infrastructure custodianship rather than relying solely on commercial cloud services.

This approach reflects the project’s commitment to ensuring that environmental monitoring benefits communities while respecting Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles.

Project partners and contributors

BIOSENTINEL is led by BAADA Aboriginal Corporation and involves contributions from cultural leaders, researchers, technical specialists, and community partners.

Project Team

Quenten Bruce, Cultural Assistant, BAADA Aboriginal Corporation
Clinton Stumpagee, Traditional Owner (Nilagoon and Sunday Island), Co-Governance Authority
Tyson Yunkaporta, First Systems Advisor, BAADA

Research, Technical and Advisory Contributors

Prof. Andrew Jeffs, University of Auckland, Independent Scientific Reviewer
Ayrton Sue, Element Engineering Australia, Hardware and Schematic Design Partner
Prof. Maui Hudson, University of Waikato / Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA), Indigenous Data Sovereignty Advisor
Dr Michael Klunzinger, Western Australian Museum, Taxonomic Authority on Westralunio carteri
Emily Poelina-Hunter, Kimberley Cultural Co-Designer and Advisor
Anne Poelina, Kimberley Cultural Co-Designer and Advisor

Looking ahead

BIOSENTINEL aims to demonstrate that environmental monitoring can be scientifically robust, technologically innovative, and community-governed at the same time.

By bringing together Indigenous knowledge systems, ecological science, secure technologies, and sovereign data governance, the project is exploring a new pathway for monitoring environmental change and supporting the long-term stewardship of Country.