Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Working on Country Southern Ranger Conference
Media release
20 April 2012
Around 100 Indigenous Working on Country rangers from across southern Australia have come together for the first time this week to share knowledge and experience in protecting our environment and conserving biodiversity.
Rangers have had the opportunity to showcase their work, strengthen their skills in land and sea management, celebrate their achievements and help build sustainable communities.
There are now almost 700 rangers supported under Working on Country around Australia and over 20 Working on Country ranger teams operating across southern Australia.
This was the first regional gathering for Working on Country rangers and for most of them it will be the first time they have met.
The conference from 16th to 20th April 2012 at Calperum Station near Renmark in South Australia is funded by Working on Country as part of the Caring for our Country initiative. The Australian Landscape Trust, which manages Calperum and Taylorville Stations and supports the Working on Country Riverland Indigenous ranger team, is hosting the event.
Workshops include Aboriginal site recording, media skills, fire management, quad bike safety, water quality monitoring and using new technology in landscape management.
The Working on Country Indigenous ranger program is achieving environmental outcomes in the national interest and supporting the Australian Government's commitment to Closing the Gap.
Working on Country recognises Indigenous people's strong relationship and obligations to country and their desire to have their land and sea management work recognised as paid employment.
Vast areas of Australia are cared for by Indigenous people who deliver environmental services of benefit to the nation, including the management of cultural sites, heritage values, fire regimes, biodiversity, feral animals, weeds, land disturbance, pollution and climate change impacts.
In this way, Working on Country brings together Indigenous caring for country, environmental and employment outcomes.
A video media release (overlay footage and short interviews with Indigenous rangers) and high resolution stills are available on http://www.environment.gov.au/about/media/index.html
Media contact: 02 6275 9880
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