Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program exists due to the advocacy of First Nations communities over many decades. The Department of Environment and Science remains committed to partnerships that honour their efforts.
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program is a partnership between the Queensland Government and First Nations communities to care for land and sea country.
The program assists First Nations organisations to employ Land and Sea Rangers and offers grant funding, training, networking and partnership support.
In 2007, the program began with just 20 rangers and today more than 150 Indigenous Land and Sea rangers work in 37 regional and remote locations across Queensland.
New Ranger funding
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program is growing! 100 new Indigenous Land and Sea ranger positions were committed to in 2021 and the first 54 of these rangers are now working in 13 Queensland communities.
The funding round for the remaining 46 new ranger positions has now closed.
Applications are being assessed by a panel against the funding Guidelines and short-listed applicants will be invited to submit a second, more detailed, application. It is anticipated that successful applicants will be announced late 2023.
If you have questions about the funding process, please contact the grants officer on (07) 3330 5553 or email landandsea@des.qld.gov.au
Where do rangers work?
Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers work across the state, in diverse locations stretching from remote Cape York Peninsula to Lake Eyre Basin and the Gold Coast.
Land and Sea Rangers work on Country across tenure, including Native Title lands, protected areas, pastoral and mining leases, and private lands.
What do rangers do?
Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers care for Country, successfully combining traditional knowledge of Country with specialised training and experience in the practice and science of managing natural and cultural resources.
Ranger teams deliver negotiated work plans that reflect Traditional Owners’ priorities and aspirations.
Ranger work includes conservation services such as fire management, feral animal and pest plant control, native and threatened species monitoring, and cultural heritage site protection.
Rangers also play an important role in inter-generational knowledge sharing in their communities, with community and youth engagement programs.
What have rangers achieved?
Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers successfully deliver not only environmental outcomes but also a variety of social, cultural and economic benefits for First Nations communities. These achievements have been well documented.
Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger programs are important to First Nations communities; and being a Land and Sea Ranger is a valued and rewarding role in many communities.