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Rangers

The Kimberley Ranger Initiative employs Aboriginal men and women to look after country while equipping them with TAFE qualifications in Conservation and Land Management.

The Kimberley Land Council currently facilitates six full-time ranger groups through the Working On Country program as well as six emerging rangers groups from across the entire Kimberley region. The program employs more than 50 rangers, who are out working on their country.

Ranger work plans are guided by elders in the community and traditional knowledge, in how to care for country, is passed down from generation to generation to ensure culture remains alive. A combination of cultural and traditional knowledge and western technologies is used to achieve work tasks.

The Kimberley Ranger Initiative gets people working back on country, while also providing employment and skills training through on-ground practical work and TAFE qualifications. It has many flow-on benefits and has contributed to improved social cohesion in communities with rangers emerging as positive role models. The program has led to improved self esteem, health and well-being while reducing unemployment.

The Working on Country program employs six full-time ranger groups: Bardi Jawi, Wunggurr, Uunguu, Paruku IPA, Nyikina Mangala and Karajarri. Emerging groups include the Kija, Balanggarra, Dambimangarri, Goonyiandi, Nyul Nyul and Ngurrara Warlu Jilaja Jumu rangers.

Rangers complete a range of tasks including the protection of cultural sites, weeding, wildlife and biodiversity monitoring, burning, conducting research, monitoring the health of rivers and waterways and fish sampling.


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