Achievements of Land and Sea Rangers
In addition to the measurable difference they are making to the protection of biodiversity, Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger programs are recognised as contributing to positive social, cultural and economic outcomes.
Investing in ranger funding makes a significant contribution to regional economies, delivering two to three times the return on each public dollar invested. Links between ranger program participation and positive health and wellbeing outcomes have also been confirmed.
Learning on Country programs, such as those that many Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger groups support, help to make school more relevant to First Nations students in remote areas and indications are that they support improvements in student attendance and learning.
Growing success
The program began with 20 rangers in 2007 and since then has grown from strength to strength. Now more than 150 rangers are employed across 37 locations through funding provided by the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program.
By 2024 the program will support the employment of more than 200 rangers around the state. The program’s success is due to the dedicated efforts of First Nations host organisations who undertake governance and management of their programs; and the efforts of the rangers themselves, who work in often challenging conditions to help keep Country healthy and communities connected.
Investing in rangers
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program has attracted support and investment from government, non-government, and private sources.
Recent investment partnerships include:
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation support, from Boeing and Qantas, for development of a youth engagement program
- ConocoPhillips Australia support for delivery of the Gidarjil Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program (Gladstone)
- Reef Trust support for various ranger groups working in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments
- World Wildlife Fund support for delivery of the Queensland Indigenous Women’s Ranger Network.
Investors are invited to support this highly successful program, and a partnership prospectus is available. For more information, contact Program Manager, Dave Wildermuth, dave.wildermuth@des.qld.gov.au or landandsea@des.qld.gov.au
Rangers make a difference
Land and Sea Rangers undertake projects that lead to positive outcomes for their country, their community and their culture.
- Bunya Peoples’ Aboriginal Rangers are working to revive ‘RightFire’ practices across their country, and empower fire knowledge holders and practitioners.
- Butchulla Land and Sea Rangers are researching the threatened black-breasted button quail on K’gari, with unexpected benefits for Butchulla culture.
- Mandubarra Land and Sea Rangers are restoring a traditional fish trap on an island on the Great Barrier Reef and reconnecting with their cultural practices.
- Balnggarrawarra Melsonby Rangers are improving water quality in their culturally significant waterways by controlling soil erosion to recreate a resilient wetland ecosystem.
- Yirrganydji Land and Sea Rangers are taking part in a unique coral reef restoration project to help rebuild the reefs that are important to their identity, heritage and livelihood.
- Ewamian Rangers are managing cultural and tourism values of Talaroo Hot Springs to showcase their Country for visitors.
- Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Rangers are gaining skills in monitoring their sea Country to equip them protect and manage its environmental and cultural values.
- Jawajawa Rangers are using all weed control methods to restore a bora ground cultural site on their Country to its original condition.