Gibson Desert Area Council has secured $2.5 million in federal funding to expand the Indigenous Desert Ranger Program, creating 25 new employment positions for local Aboriginal people to manage country, protect cultural heritage, and deliver essential services across the remote desert region.
The expanded program combines traditional ecological knowledge with modern land management techniques, employing rangers to conduct fire management, feral animal control, cultural site protection, and biodiversity monitoring across the vast Gibson Desert landscape that spans over 155,000 square kilometers.
"Our rangers are the bridge between ancient knowledge and modern conservation. They know this country, they know the stories of this land, and they have the skills to protect it for future generations. This program gives our young people meaningful work on their own country."
Ranger Activities
The Desert Ranger Program encompasses diverse land management activities:
Program Components
- Fire Management: Traditional burning to protect country and reduce wildfire risk
- Feral Animal Control: Camel, cat, and fox management programs
- Cultural Heritage: Recording and protecting sacred sites and rock art
- Biodiversity Monitoring: Tracking threatened species like the bilby and great desert skink
- Water Point Maintenance: Managing remote water sources for wildlife and community
- Community Services: Supporting outstation residents with supplies and transport
Training and Development
The program provides comprehensive training for rangers:
Certification
Certificates in Conservation and Land Management
Vocational Training
Chainsaw, 4WD, first aid, and firearms safety
Mentorship
Elders sharing traditional land management knowledge
Environmental Outcomes
The ranger program delivers significant conservation benefits:
- Fire Regimes: 50,000 hectares managed with traditional burning
- Feral Animals: 2,000+ camels and 500+ cats removed annually
- Cultural Sites: 200+ sites documented and protected
- Species Recovery: Monitoring programs for threatened desert fauna
Program Funding
Total Investment: $2.5 million over 3 years
Positions: 25 full-time rangers
Training: TAFE qualifications and on-country mentoring
Contact: (08) 9175 8000
Join the Ranger Team
The Desert Ranger Program is recruiting. Contact us to learn about training and employment opportunities.
Contact Ranger Coordinator
