Environment Minister Reece Whitby and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti have today announced the recipients of funding under Round 4 (Expansion Fund) of the McGowan Government's Aboriginal Ranger Program (ARP).
The Expansion Fund aims to help Aboriginal organisations consolidate their already established ranger programs by supporting key ranger positions and career development opportunities for up to four years.
The McGowan Government has allocated $22.8 million in this round, which is anticipated to lead to the employment of more than 100 Aboriginal people, with more than half of those expected to be women.
There are 14 Aboriginal groups receiving this funding, which will directly support Aboriginal ranger training opportunities to develop skills in conservation and land management.
Programs funded over the next four years include:
- Birriliburu Rangers - for career progression and leadership for 10 rangers to carry out monthly ranger patrols of the Canning Stock Route and to develop tourism opportunities;
- Budadee Aboriginal Ranger Program - for five rangers to undertake cultural and environmental conservation works on Woodstock-Abydos Protected Reserve, which is home to one of the oldest and largest rock art precincts in Western Australia; and
- Nyaliga Ranger Program - for five rangers in using traditional cultural and environmental knowledge, western science and modern technologies to support Traditional Owners in protecting cultural and conservation values on Wilinggin country.
Round 5 of the ARP (Development Fund) will be opening later this month for new and recently formed ranger programs.
More information on the program and the successful applicants can be found at https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/aboriginalrangerprogram
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"I would like to congratulate the successful applicants of this latest round of funding from the Aboriginal Ranger Program.
"The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring Traditional Owners remain connected to country through creating Aboriginal ranger employment opportunities.
"Empowering women has also been at the forefront of this program, as close to half of the 600 people employed through the Aboriginal Ranger Program have so far been women."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"This program continues to provide opportunities for Aboriginal people across the State.
"A significant benefit of this program is the development of skills in conservation and land management that allows Aboriginal rangers to monitor and protect the cultural values on their country.
"Congratulations to those who have been successful in this latest funding round."
