Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers partnership

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
Queensland Indigenous
Land and Sea Rangers
Partnership prospectus
Further information
Dave Wildermuth, Manager
Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
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Email:
landandsea@ehp.qld.gov.au
Phone:
(07) 3330 5295
Contents
Overview
Introduction...................................................................................... 4
Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program has been:
Our vision......................................................................................... 4
Current ranger locations................................................................... 5
You’re invited................................................................................... 6
How to accept this proposal............................................................. 6
• contributing to the protection of Queensland’s ecosystems and Indigenous cultural heritage
• increasing meaningful involvement of Indigenous people in land and sea country management
• increasing economic opportunities in ranger communities
• achieving outcomes where other programs have fallen short, particularly in terms of
employment and capacity building outcomes.
Corporate partnerships..................................................................... 7
Environmental benefits..................................................................... 8
Cultural benefits............................................................................... 13
Community benefits......................................................................... 15
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Introduction
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program is a highly successful initiative
that is delivering real environmental and employment outcomes in some of the most
environmentally sensitive parts of our state.
It is a unique community ranger program that provides an avenue for business to be part
of protecting exceptional environmental values while creating real economic benefits for
Indigenous communities.
The program’s initial focus area was northern Queensland and the Lake Eyre Basin. There is
now opportunity to progress other environmental priorities.
Land and Sea Rangers presently look after areas of Queensland with iconic natural values
including the wetlands of Cape York, parts of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the
Lake Eyre Basin.
Rangers undertake a wide range of activities including weed and feral animal control,
fire management, fencing of wetlands, land restoration, erosion mitigation, wildlife
management and recovery, community education and visitor management. These activities
have widespread benefits including preventing wildfires, reducing carbon emissions and
maintaining biodiversity.
Our vision
Be part of an important and exciting program which continues to provide important
environmental services across the state caring for pristine waterways, protected species
and managing the land and sea.
The program supports capacity building in local Indigenous communities and engaging
Traditional Owners and other community members in the development of a local natural
resource management economy.
Demand to expand the program
There is high demand from communities for additional funding for Indigenous Land and Sea
Rangers. The department has received ‘Expression of Interest’ applications for over 100 new
ranger positions from 25 Indigenous organisations.
If you have a specific area you are interested in, please let us know as we are working in a
number of other areas.
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“Ranger to me means a lot because I’m looking after
my culture, something that is part of me,
my country, everything.”
—Senior Ranger
Current ranger locations
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program cares for land and sea country
and increases Indigenous participation in environmental management.
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4
Aurukun
Coen
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Existing ranger positions are located across Queensland, working around Pormpuraaw,
Mapoon, Normanton, Burketown, Georgetown, Cardwell, Injinoo, Aurukun, Laura, Melsonby,
Archer Point, Wujal Wujal, Home Hill, Mount Isa and Longreach communities.
Pormpuraaw
5
6
6
Burketown Normanton
N
4
Melsonby
Laura
Ongoing discussions with local Traditional Owners, regional bodies, local governments and
other key stakeholders will help guide the process of placing any further Land and Sea Rangers
throughout Queensland.
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Archer Point
Wujal Wujal
Cardwell
2
Northern Territory
Townsville
Camooweal
Cloncurry
Mount Isa
5
5
Cairns
Georgetown
The program is managed by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
The evaluation found that the program shows evidence of a contribution towards three of the seven
Closing the Gap targets including:
May 2015
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Land and Sea Rangers are employed through local Indigenous host organisations, with funding
from the Queensland Government, supporting the capacity building of community organisations.
An external evaluation of the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program was carried out
in 2015 to scope its currency, effectiveness and reach.
Land and Sea Rangers employed
Mapoon
Sixty-five Land and Sea Rangers are currently contracted to 15 regional communities
throughout North and Western Queensland.
Evaluation
2
Injinoo
Charters Towers
Hughenden
5
Home Hill
Mackay
5
Rockhampton
• improving Indigenous employment outcomes
Longreach
• improving Indigenous school attendance
Gladstone
• improving life expectancy through improved health, mental health and wellbeing.
The report states ‘Accountability and requirement to deliver meaningful outcomes distinguish
the Program from less successful work programs and results in rangers building real work skills.’
Bundaberg
Birdsville
EHP’s financial governance of the program was audited in 2014 and met all the requirements.
BRISBANE
South Australia
New South Wales
Number of rangers
0
125
250
500
Date produced: 18/04/2013 | File: 30333 LandSeaRangers map A4.eps | Produced by Biodiversity Assessment, Ecosystem Outcomes.
All data integrated into this product has been projected to the Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA94) in accordance with the Geocentric
Datum of Australia Technical Manual and the requirements of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government makes no representations or warranties
about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability
(including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage)
and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or
incomplete in any way and for any reason.
© Environment and Heritage Protection, State of Queensland.
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You need to be a part of this program if
you care about:
• Indigenous culture
• sustainable future
• protection of cultural values
How to accept this proposal
If you would like to take advantage of the sponsorship opportunities outlined in this proposal, please email the department at
landandsea@ehp.qld.gov.au or for further information phone (07) 3330 5295.
• being part of a community
Your sponsorship opportunity
Your commitment
Your benefits
• employment opportunities.
Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers team
(4–5 rangers)
Up to $2.1M* over 3 years for a single team
An additional ranger for an existing team
$150,000* per year (minimum of 3 years)
Equipment for a ranger team
e.g. vehicle or boat
Purchase cost of the equipment
• An opportunity for your staff to network
and build relationships with rangers, and
spend time on country learning more about
conservation management of some of the
most iconic and deeply cultural landscapes in
the world from traditional owners that work as
Indigenous rangers.
A dedicated conservation program
To be negotiated
You’re invited
The Queensland Government is seeking
assistance from the corporate sector to expand
the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program.
Many projects, ongoing and proposed, are the
first of their kind having never been tackled
on country before. The program will continue
to attract global media interest, particularly
with regard to ghost nets, dugong and turtle
research, and Junior Ranger programs.
Investment opportunities range from
sponsoring a ranger team to specific onground projects and the supply of equipment
and materials.
The Department of Environment and Heritage
Protection (EHP) will assist with matching
your investment to a suitable Indigenous
community or to specific outcomes.
• threatened species protection
e.g. marine turtles
• Brand recognition in all project material
including media releases, feature articles,
events, web materials and media promotions.
• weed and feral animal control
• habitat protection
Junior ranger program activity (annual
camp, support products, excursions)
Business mentoring—to support
rangers towards diversification of the
conservation economy
$10,000–$100,000
In-kind or financial contribution to
be negotiated
EHP will provide training and mentoring support
for participating Indigenous organisations to
manage contractual arrangements and project
reporting requirements.
Local project tailored to meet your
corporate objectives and values
• eco/cultural tourism ventures
• upgrade to ranger facility
• Exclusive opportunities to participate in
world leading projects on country including
Ministerial launches.
To be negotiated
• Association with dedicated web and social
media environments including Facebook,
Twitter and YouTube.
• Logo, acknowledgement and sponsor profile
page within a high quality, full colour ‘coffee
table’ project book, including photographs and
quotes from sponsor representatives.
• Association with any national and international
documentaries produced
to showcase the Indigenous Land and Sea
Rangers program.
• Invitations to and media association with
a proposed national launch declaring all
program sponsors.
• The Department of Environment and Heritage
Protection will provide continuous project
management through a program agreement
that includes training, mentoring and support.
*Funding provided for rangers will support salaries, operational expenses, training and mentoring and administrations costs.
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Corporate partnerships
Some examples of existing successful corporate partnerships are detailed below.
Origin Energy
In July 2013, Origin Energy conducted a leadership and remote first aid training exercise with
the Apudthama Land and Sea Rangers based at Injinoo in Cape York. Twenty-one South-West
Queensland Origin staff worked with the rangers on team work exercises, cultural awareness
and a survey of the rare and endangered freshwater Jardine River Turtle.
This partnership between Origin and the rangers saw a two-way benefit for each of the parties
involved. Origin staff and the rangers benefited from participating in the various patrols,
survey and training activities. Through a fee for service arrangement the rangers received
further equipment and training while providing a unique experience to Origin staff in a unique
and remote location.
In 2014 Origin sent around 30 staff to Injinoo for remote first aid training, and the Jardine River
Turtle survey discovered the first turtles seen for 20 years, sparking national media coverage.
Glencore
As part of their work to support the local environment, Gudjuda rangers based at Home Hill
near Ayr, are promoting a better understanding of the population and health of marine turtles
(Flatback, Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead) in North Queensland through tagging and
collecting species data.
Mining company Glencore has funded a research ‘mother’ ship—a larger, flat deck pontoon
style vessel that will allow rangers to undertake turtle research ‘on-water’. The vessel will
also provide access to other areas which are not accessible by road, allowing the rangers to
undertake flora and fauna surveys, weed management and other land management activities.
South Cape York Catchments, winners of the Community category
of the 2014 Queensland Reconciliation Awards, sponsored by Thiess
“The Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program helps
grow economic opportunities and provides stable,
full-time employment to Indigenous people, many in
remote communities where unemployment rates are high.
“The program has a strong retention rate and it provides
a career pathway—both within the program and in the
private and public sectors.”
“We have a strong focus on environmental management
across our operations and we take a proactive approach
on identifying opportunities to support programs and
initiatives that can deliver good outcomes in this area.”
—Dave Wildermuth
Manager Queensland Indigenous Land
and Sea Rangers program
—Craig Strudwich
Community Relations Manager, Glencore
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Environmental benefits
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program is delivering on the Queensland
Government’s commitment to protect the state’s unique ecosytems. The rangers’
achievements in delivering the state’s objectives, have been impressive.
Land and Sea Rangers implemented a wide range of activities including weed and feral animal
control, fire management, fencing of wetlands, land restoration, erosion mitigation, wildlife
management and recovery, community education and visitor management.
Rangers have treated over 475,000 hectares of pest plants. Many of Queensland’s remote
rivers and coastlines are regularly patrolled with more than 4,000 ghost nets removed, saving
endangered species including turtles and dugongs from entrapment.
Monitoring the health
of rare marine turtles,
North Queensland
Many of the ranger groups located near
the Great Barrier Reef are actively involved
in marine turtle research. Flatback, Green,
Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles are being
caught, tagged and released providing
much needed data for population monitoring
and research.
“Now we’re getting an indication of the population size
and regularity of nesting activity, and we’ve got a good
handle on nesting survival rates.”
—Research partner, Program Evaluation 2015
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Water quality monitoring,
Lake Eyre Basin river systems
The river systems of the Lake Eyre Basin are the lifeblood of the channel country, supporting a
unique range of aquatic species. The Lake Eyre Basin Rangers, based at Longreach and Mt Isa,
are supporting efforts to monitor the health of the important watercourses of the channel country.
Through the Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment (LEBRA) monitoring program, Indigenous
Land and Sea Rangers are working alongside Queensland Government scientists to complete
regular assessments of native fish stocks and water quality. Rangers undertake fish surveys,
water sampling and hydrological monitoring in the Georgina and Diamantina river systems
and remove any non-native species encountered along the way. LEBRA provides a great
example of how rangers and government scientists can work together to support the long term
protection of some of Queensland’s most valuable environmental assets.
“It’s given me more confidence. After all this training you
get your confidence up more, and you think ‘I can do that’.
Then you might go even further, and become a mentor
in the community.”
—Senior Ranger
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Feral pig control
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program provides funding, mentoring
and training support to ranger groups to develop their land and sea management capacity,
including in the important area of feral animal control.
Ranger groups have been doing important work to protect marine turtles by reducing predation
by feral pigs. On some beaches feral pigs have destroyed more than 80 per cent of turtle nests
and caused significant damage to wetlands. Ranger groups have been reducing pig populations
in Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria since 2008. In this period the groups have collectively
removed over 90,000 feral animals, predominantly pigs.
The rangers have established partnerships with local pastoralists to develop a long term feral
pig management program, and train landowners in effective pest management. They conduct
annual aerial culling, baiting and trapping, exclusion fencing of sites of significance, and
conduct ongoing monitoring on impacts of control efforts.
“In the last three years we have reduced predation of
turtles by feral pigs from 80 per cent to 16 per cent.”
—Senior Ranger
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Cultural benefits
Cultural outcomes include improved Indigenous access to traditional lands and protection of
cultural assets by managing threats including fencing of wetlands and culturally sensitive areas.
Rangers support elders in sharing their knowledge of country with the next generation through
the Junior Ranger program.
Rock Art site identification and recording,
Laura, Cape York
Southern Cape York Catchments (SCYC) brings together Traditional Owners, volunteers, scientists
and schools to protect and promote the region’s rich cultural heritage and environment.
By establishing Indigenous Land and Sea ranger teams in Laura and Melsonby, SCYC is supporting
Traditional Owners to work on country and to pass on cultural heritage to younger generations.
From 2008, the Laura rangers have worked with Traditional Owners to re-discover, record,
protect and, where appropriate, raise awareness of important cultural heritage sites in Laura,
and to protect the UNESCO recognised iconic rock art sites in the Quinkan reserve.
The Quinkan galleries near Laura, four hours drive from Cairns, are among the largest collection
of rock art in the world, stretching over 230,000 hectares of sandstone uplands. Dating back
at least 30,000 years, the galleries take their name from the Quinkan spirits—spirit protectors
and mischief makers of local Aboriginal lore.
UNESCO considers the area one of the top 10 rock art sites in the world.
The Laura ranger group promotes understanding of traditional culture through rock-art tours for
local school children and visitors, installing interpretative signage and developing guidance
material for tour operators.
Rangers use quad bikes, satellite navigation and data recorders to explore the area to document
the unique rock art. The rangers have recorded almost 300 sites over the past three years.
It’s estimated the area contains 10,500 galleries. The dimensions of each site are measured,
photographed and recorded by GPS location.
“We do interviewing with Elders and collect their stories
and dances, it is all recorded electronically so we have
that forever.”
—Senior Ranger
The Laura rangers were winners of the community category of the 2014 Queensland
Reconciliation Awards.
“I became a ranger to look after the rock art…to be able to
pass it on down the line to our kids, like our parents did.”
“Being a ranger to me means a lot, because I’m looking
after my culture, something that is part of me, and country.”
—Senior Ranger
—Senior Ranger
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Junior Rangers program
Rangers see the importance of educating the next generation about looking after country–they
have become mentors to children in their communities through the Junior Rangers program.
Primarily focused on education, the Junior Rangers program involves children in ranger
communities learning about the country on which they live from Indigenous Land and Sea
Rangers and traditional owners.
The work program of every ranger group includes Junior Ranger activities. These include
camps, crocodile awareness lessons and tours of cultural sites. Junior rangers are often
included in ranger activities such as beach clean-ups and days of special significance such as
World Ranger Day.
The intergenerational component of the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program
is strengthening as the program builds. Many children in ranger communities look at becoming
a ranger themselves because of the respect rangers have in their communities.
“Thank you to the Rangers for their support around our
attendance strategy this term and the prizes for the
students who achieved 100 per cent attendance this term.”
—Pormpuraaw School Principal
“The kids want to be rangers. They love some of the
video presentations they put together. I think they would
love to be rangers and I think this Junior Ranger program
will have more of an impact on them. Once again if it’s
run by the Land and Sea Ranger program it’s going to be
a well run show.”
—Ranger Coordinator
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Community benefits
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program supports economic and social
development and provides stable, full-time employment to Indigenous people–many in remote
communities where unemployment rates are above 30 per cent.
The program has a high retention rate of approximately 85 per cent, providing a career pathway
for many. Rangers from the program have moved on to mining companies in positions such as
apprentice mechanics and carpenters, and with government organisations such as Queensland
Health and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Indigenous unemployment rate in Queensland is currently 17.2 per cent (ABS, 2011).
Queensland’s first
trial harvesting of
wild crocodile eggs,
Pormpuraaw, Cape York
In Pormpuraaw, Land and Sea Rangers
collected data to support research into
the potential for a sustainable crocodile
egg harvest in key rivers on Pormpuraaw
Aboriginal land in western Cape York
Peninsula, as a means to generate local
economic opportunity.
As part of regular crocodile surveys and
relocation of nests, rangers harvested
crocodile eggs from nests in areas affected
by extensive flooding. By only collecting eggs
with a high risk of flood-related mortality
before heavy rains of the monsoon season,
there is little risk to the wild population.
“To be recognised by the community, that we’re here, we
want to be part of the community…it’s really brought us
together…that’s changed huge attitudes in the community.”
—Ranger Coordinator
The pilot project is now complete.
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Cyclone Yasi case study
Ewamian rangers are funded under the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program.
Their work focuses on activities on Tallaroo Station and important sites on Ewamian traditional
lands, which covers about 26,000 square kilometres in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The area
contains the catchments of the Staaten River, Vanrook Creek, and 10 major tributaries, and is
represented by five traditional owner groups.
Ewamian rangers partnered with rangers from the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation Ranger
Program in the clean up across the Cardwell area after Cyclone Yasi devastated the community.
Rangers were able to put their chainsaw and communications skills to the test.
Ewamian rangers were selected as state finalists for the 2014 Queensland Safer Communities
Awards for their quick response and recovery efforts in Cardwell following the destruction
caused by Cyclone Yasi. They received an Encouragement Award for their work.
Since Cyclone Yasi, rangers have commenced training for the Natural Disaster Leadership
course, run by Queensland Volunteering and Emergency Management Queensland.
“As a community liaison officer for AQIS, I do a lot of work with all the
rangers. They are a credit to themselves and their communities.
The pride shown by their groups and their communities is
outstanding...it is possibly one of the best things I have seen within
the communities that I work.”
—Bruce Lansdown
Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS)
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Sea turtle rescue and monitoring,
Archer Point, Cooktown
Yuku Baja Muliku rangers from the Cooktown area are developing effective sea country
management practices for the future through marine turtle and sea grass monitoring programs.
The Yuku Baja Muliku Traditional Custodians and rangers have finalised a Sea Country
Management Plan and a Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA). The TUMRA
has been accredited by the Queensland and Australian governments. As part of these plans,
rangers will now have an ongoing role in land management, patrols, compliance and marine
animal management, which includes turtle rescue and rehabilitation. Rangers have completed
training in turtle wrangling and tagging and have started tagging, measuring and recording
data from a number of species to add to a population database.
Rangers recognised a need for a turtle rehabilitation centre after Cyclone Yasi severely
impacted the turtle feeding grounds off Archer Point and surrounding areas. The emerging
sea grass was nearly wiped out causing the local turtle population severe stress. A turtle
rehabilitation shelter has now been constructed, with large marine tanks used for rehabilitation
of sick or injured turtles.
Sea grass monitoring is carried out at least four times a year by rangers collecting data on the
species, seed bank, numbers and area covered.
“I spend more time on country then what I have done in the past.
It’s got that good feeling when you go out bush, that peace.
Sometimes you can sit down and you think to yourself. I love going out
bush now, before this job you would have been lucky to get me out
of the house but now it’s a good thing seeing sunset, seeing
good country, working with turtles, and you get to see the other guys
country as well which is good.”
—Senior Ranger
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“When I go out to the bush with
the boys, and I see it in the boys
too, they go out with passion.
It’s because they do love the
bush, they know we live off it, our
ancestors lived off it and if we
don’t protect it then we’re selfish,
because then we’re not protecting
it and handing our knowledge of it
on for the next generation.”
—Senior Ranger
“I just want to learn. I couldn’t
read and write too well, now I
know I can achieve a lot of things.
I love it, I love the challenge. I
don’t want to stop. If you keep
teaching me, I’ll keep learning.”
—Senior Ranger
“We are learning skills from nonIndigenous people and bringing
this together with the traditional
knowledge. As a ranger that is an
important part of our role.”
—Senior Ranger
“Rangers see the importance of
educating the next generation
about looking after country and
they have become mentors to
children in their communities and
the next generation.”
—Senior Ranger
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#30459
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www.ehp.qld.gov.au