Among David Bowman's more outlandish suggestions for dealing with Australia's massive problems of wildfires, feral animals and weeds, there are some workable ideas (Nature 482, 30; 2012).

Some of these are already being implemented, such as the reinstatement of Aboriginal fire management in the north of the country. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy's prescribed-burn programme in the Kimberley region is having great success.

These innovations are radical, but they are based on a sound ecological understanding.