Ranger programs
Indigenous Ranger teams manage Country according to Traditional Owners’ objectives.
Indigenous rangers use traditional knowledge and cultural practices, combined with Western science, to manage Country and deliver a range of environmental, cultural, social and economic development outcomes.
Rangers play the key role in major land management projects, such as those we have assisted. They also stand alone as a community development program to care for country, provide revenue through fee for service work, social enterprises, and create employment – most importantly, on Country.
DSS assists groups to access funding and resources to start up ranger teams. This includes brokering partnerships and introducing connections for additional support and fostering development opportunities.
Some of our current and past “stand alone” ranger teams include -
Kulyakartu Aboriginal Corporation
Year: DSS supported since 2018
Status: WA Aboriginal Ranger Program (ARP)
DSS role: Project management for applications, running planning workshops, acquiring funding, brokering relationships (such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Barra Parrapi Aboriginal Corporation
Year: DSS supported since 2023
Status: WA Aboriginal Ranger Program (ARP)
DSS role: Project management for applications, running planning workshops, acquiring funding, brokering relationships
Mungarlu Ngurrarankatja Rirraunkaja Aboriginal Corporation
Year: DSS supported since 2013
Status: Birriliburu IPA management, Ranger team transitioned to to Martu land management company Birriliburu Pty Ltd in 2019.
DSS role: Acquiring funding, IPA planning, Ranger Team set up and coordination, partnership development, Land Management subsidiary set up and transition to PBC.
Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation
Year: DSS support since 2014, transitioning ranger program to PBC
Status: IPA management program (and ARP) now run by PBC land management company.
DSS role: Acquiring funding, IPA planning, Ranger Team set up and coordination
Marputu Aboriginal Corporation
Year: DSS supported 2016-2022
Status: Ranger start up.
DSS role: Acquiring funding, Ranger Team set up and coordination, on country planning and trips.
Ngurra Kayanta Aboriginal Corporation
Year: DSS supported since 2017
Status: IPA planning
DSS role: IPA planning, acquiring funding, Ranger Team coordination, partnership development, establish remote ranger base.
Tjamu Tjamu aboriginal corporation
Year: DSS supported since 2018
Status: Indigenous Protected Area management
DSS role: Project management for applications, running planning workshops, acquiring funding, brokering relationships, ranger team coordination, contract transition.
Parna Ngururrpa aboriginal coporation
Year: DSS supported since 2019
Status: Indigenous Protected Area management
DSS role: Acquiring funding, IPA planning, Ranger team coordination, partnership development, establish remote ranger base.
Wakamurra Aboriginal Corporation
Year: DSS supported 2021
Status: Ranger start up
DSS role: Acquiring funding, Ranger Team coordination, on country trips and planning.
