KLC media release, January 21, 2010.
The Federal Government has injected $2.6 million into the Kimberley Land Council’s conservation management programs.
Kimberley Land Council deputy director Nolan Hunter said the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Working on Country fund had committed $2 million to the Kimberley Ranger Initiative, which employs Aboriginal people to undertake conservation and land management activities.
He said another $600,000 from the Federal Governments IPA division would go towards the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas, or Aboriginal National Parks, along the Kimberley coast.
“This funding boost to our ranger program will be used to further expand and enhance ranger activities which can include fire burning, sea monitoring, cultural site protection, wildlife monitoring and the eradication of feral animals,’’ Mr Hunter said.
Mr Hunter said the Kimberley Land Council facilitated 12 ranger groups from right across the Kimberley and employed about 80 rangers.
“The Kimberley Ranger Initiative has already achieved great success in improving our environment while getting Aboriginal people jobs and equipping them with TAFE qualifications in Conservation and Land Management,’’ he said.
“The ranger program gives Aboriginal people a sense of pride and self-worth, enables them to learn more about culture and sets them on a positive path for the future.’’
Mr Hunter said $600,000 would be shared amongst six Aboriginal tribal groups, to set up Indigenous Protected Areas on their country.
“We are working with Traditional Owners to help them achieve their ambition in creating a corridor of protected areas stretching from Bidyadanga to Wyndham. This will enable these groups to protect the high conservation values along the coast,’’ he said.
“But a lot of behind-the-scenes work needs to happen before an IPA can be declared. There will need to be consultations with the claim group and Traditional Owners will need to set-up a steering committee and prepare a draft management plan on how that area will be looked after. The money will be spent on laying the foundations for the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas.’’
