Award Recognises Wild River Rangers’ Success

The Wilderness Society Inc
Media Release
30 October 2009

The Wilderness Society today congratulated Queensland's Indigenous Wild River Rangers for being "highly commended" and winning silver in the 'Green' category of the Premier's Awards for Excellence held at a ceremony last night in Brisbane.

"It is fantastic that Indigenous Rangers are achieving major success with this initiative in just over a couple of years", said Anthony Esposito, the Wilderness Society's Indigenous Conservation Campaign Manager.

"The Premier's Award recognises the rangers for their dedication to caring for their country, and for working with their elders, communities and the Government to implement management plans for the rivers," he said.

"We also congratulate Premier Anna Bligh and the Minister for Natural Resources, Stephen Robertson for supporting this innovative program.  The Queensland Government's Indigenous Wild River Rangers initiative is helping to deliver on the twin goals of conservation and employment for Indigenous people, often in remote areas".

"The Wild River Rangers initiative meets the imperative for proper management of declared wild river areas," said Mr Esposito.  "The Wilderness Society strongly supports the management and protection of these free-flowing rivers by their Traditional Owners, and commends their efforts".

"We urge the Queensland Government to continue moving forward with the creation of new ranger positions for declared wild rivers in Queensland and to invest in this important conservation initiative for the long-term".

This initiative is creating real jobs that recognise the ecological knowledge and management expertise held by Traditional Owners, to the benefit of the people, culture and river catchments in areas of immense natural and cultural value.

There are now twenty Wild River Rangers employed across Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria with another ten to follow soon.

These rangers perform important environmental services such as weed and feral animal control, protection of gallery rainforests and catchment management including traditional burning practices.  The jobs are full-time and waged and are often located in places where employment opportunities are scarce.

As a direct result of advocacy by The Wilderness Society in 2006, the Queensland Government promised to create 100 ranger positions in local communities. 

The Wild River Ranger Program is one example of a conservation economy program that delivers social, environmental and economic outcomes for everyone's benefit.