Applause for Garrett’s Cape York Indigenous ranger announcement

The Wilderness Society (Queensland) Inc
Media Release
24 August 2009

Leading conservation group the Wilderness Society today applauded an announcement by the Federal Minister for Environment, Peter Garrett, to fund the employment of new Indigenous rangers on Cape York Peninsula. The announcement, part of a $46 million national package, was made yesterday in the Aboriginal community of Napranum on Western Cape York.

Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager for the Wilderness Society said: “Cape York Peninsula is one of the largest intact and most diverse landscapes left on Earth, with spectacular natural and cultural values.”

“This is a great initiative that addresses the dual needs of providing ongoing and practical protection for the spectacular natural and cultural values of Cape York, while creating real full-time jobs in remote Aboriginal communities.”

Much of Cape York is under Indigenous ownership and Indigenous land managers are often inadequately resourced to deal with significant management problems such as feral pests, noxious weeds, appropriate burning practices, illegal fishers, and other current conservation issues.

The Wilderness Society believes that more Government funding and support is needed to bolster conservation work on Indigenous lands.

“Long term funding from the Commonwealth and State governments to employ and train Indigenous people to work as conservation managers will help protect the globally significant natural and cultural values of Cape York Peninsula” concluded Dr Seelig.

“All of Australia will benefit if we can support Indigenous land and sea managers to look after some our best national environmental assets.“