Community events and volunteering

There are a number of programs available for people who would like to get involved in conservation and help protect our environment.

The Junior Ranger program

The Junior Ranger program is about bringing sustainable natural resource management into the classroom. Aimed at school students, the program aims to incorporate Indigenous values for looking after country into the school curriculum.

By working with Indigenous land and sea rangers, students will develop a deeper understanding and acquire first-hand experience of natural resource management and related careers.

Activities and learning outcomes are aligned to the Australian curriculum.

Please contact the ranger coordinator in your local community to find out how to get involved. Alternatively, email junior.rangers@ehp.qld.gov.au for further information.

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

NAIDOC Week usually starts on the first Sunday of July each year (in 2013, NAIDOC Week is 7–14 July). However, since school holidays are around this time, NAIDOC Week is often celebrated at different times across Queensland.

Activities you may like to do in your local community include:

• forming a NAIDOC Week committee to coordinate events
• making a rainbow serpent with school students
• holding a spear-making and spear-throwing competition at your school
• holding a sports day at your school
• holding a school battle of bands
• developing a NAIDOC Week video and show it at community events
• asking an Indigenous Australian elder to talk to your school about their community
• visiting story places with rangers and local community members
• holding a school open day and showcasing junior ranger activities.

Clean up our beaches

Enjoying the beach is an important part of the Queensland lifestyle.

As part of Clean Up Australia Day, or any other time when you want to help the environment, involve students in cleaning up the local beach.

Clean Up Australia Day provide resources and materials to help you plan your activity.

Tangaroa Blue also gives information about marine debris clean-up.

Land and sea ranger shed open day

This is an opportunity for the community to come down to the ranger base and see first-hand what rangers do in their daily work.

Land and sea rangers ensure the natural environment is better managed and preserved by:

• managing weeds, feral animals and other threats
• undertaking fuel reduction and ecological burning
• collecting data on local species and habitats
• recording traditional stories
• recording, protecting and preserving cultural sites
• implementing wildlife and threatened species management activities
• supporting disaster recovery efforts
• helping manage national parks, and
• managing visitor activity.

Contact your local ranger for more information or to organise an open day.

Volunteering

Volunteering with us will give you the chance to:

• contribute to the protection and management of our natural environment
• meet people and develop knowledge, skills and self-esteem
• use your skills and experience to help the community.

As a volunteer, a departmental officer will:

• give you an introduction to the department
• explain your role
• provide training
• help with any questions or issues that you have.

Call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for more information.