Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have shaped and managed land and sea country for millennia: connection to country is a crucial element of Australian Indigenous cultures. It is also a precious gift for Australian culture in general, and for the management of our landscapes.
As well as the cultural reinforcement of environmental management, over 80 per cent of ranger groups are involved in specific cultural activities. Significant sites such as rock art, waterholes, fish traps and burial sites are managed; traditional knowledge and stories recorded; and cultural heritage signs installed.
Rangers from around the country share stories about how their work is reinforcing culture for them.
When people see the beauty of our country they see the strength of our culture. The country is alive because we still hold the stories."
Indigenous Rangers are highly-skilled, professional land managers, working in Indigenous Protected Areas and on traditional lands across Australia. They use traditional practices and modern science to protect, nurture and restore the landscape.
But they are also a vital in helping preserve and celebrate Indigenous culture, language and links with country. Most Indigenous ranger groups are active in specific cultural activities. Rock art, waterholes, fish traps and burial sites are managed, traditional knowledge and stories are recorded, and cultural heritage information is shared.
Just as importantly, Indigenous rangers have become role models for a new generation. They are living examples of workforce participation, of healthier lifestyles and of involvement in cultural preservation.
Funding for Indigenous ranger programs is not certain beyond 2018, and we want your help to change that. We want the Australian government to double the funding for these invaluable programs and to extend it well into the future. This is a proven investment in the restoration of some of Australia’s most fragile and important landscapes.