More than $11 million will be shared among a dozen Aboriginal organisations across Western Australia in the latest round of funding for the Aboriginal Ranger Program.
The Round Six grants have been awarded to 12 projects that explore innovative ways to maximise the benefits of the program, the Government announced today.
The successful projects under the Innovation Fund include a native seed facility, cultural-contemporary burning, fauna sanctuary planning and wetland management. Â
“Our Government is committed to building the skills and knowledge of Aboriginal ranger teams across Western Australia and encourage shared learning,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Dr Tony Buti.
“The Aboriginal Ranger Program creates meaningful opportunities while developing community resilience and leadership. We’re continuing to invest and build on the program’s success.
“This funding round ensures expert knowledge continues to be passed on to help communities care for their Country in a way that protects cultural and environmental values.”
The Aboriginal Ranger Program has created more than 650 ranger jobs on Country since 2017. It has also supported the management of nearly 500 significant cultural sites, 2,000 kilometres of tracks and weed management across 2,000 hectares of land.
“I congratulate the recipients of this latest round of funding and I look forward to hearing about the success of these exciting, innovative projects,” said WA Environment Minister, Reece Whitby.
“The Aboriginal Ranger Program continues to make a real difference, providing valuable employment opportunities across our great State.
“We want to empower Aboriginal communities to care for their Country and culture. For every $1 invested, the program creates approximately $3 worth of social, economic, cultural and environmental value.”
Following an initial $20 million investment, a further $83 million has been allocated to support the development, expansion and innovation of Aboriginal ranger groups across the State with a focus on remote and regional locations.
For more information, visit dbca.wa.gov.au/aboriginalrangerprogram.
| Organisation | Project Title | Funding Allocated | DBCA Region |
| Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation | BAC Skills and Innovation Hub | $1,840,068 | Wheatbelt |
| Binalup Aboriginal Corporation | Planning for a Binalup-Tambellup Fauna Sanctuary | $415,105 | Wheatbelt |
| Budadee Aboriginal Corporation | Budadee Native Seed Facility | $757,990 | Pilbara |
| IndigenousDesert Alliance | Southern Deserts RightWay Fire Project | $1,643,625 | Goldfields; Pilbara and South Coast |
| Maarli Services | Interactive gnammas mapping in Eastern Wheatbelt Rangers | $1,653,193 | Wheatbelt |
| Noongar Land Enterprise Group | Noongar Land Enterprise Group Rangers | $827,557 | Midwest, Wheatbelt and South Coast |
| Nowanup Noongar Boodjar Ltd | Integrating Cultural Fire and Contemporary Burning in the Great Southern | $291,419 | South Coast |
| Nyamba Buru Yawuru Ltd | Baluyi Bilarra Bundurr Bundurr – Plants of the Wetland & Pindan | $354,777 | Kimberley |
| Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation | Western Desert Youth Rangers – Developing co-mapping and media skills | $337,226 | Goldfields |
| Undalup Association Inc. | Ni Kidji Gnangkaa Boodja – Listening to Mother Country | $1,172,485 | South West |
| Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation | Marrirrin di Drone Program | $439,465 | Kimberley |
| Winjan Aboriginal Corporation | Bindjareb Boodja Baldja Ranger Innovation Project | $1,275,504 | Swan and South West |
