Learning together: Goldfields & Esperance Ranger Exchange

With future plans to host a Malleefowl workshop, last year, Goldfields Aboriginal Community Services (GACS) Rangers organised an exchange with Esperance Tjaltjraak Rangers to learn more about looking after Malleefowl and the ranger work they do on sea country.

GACS Rangers were welcomed with a smoking ceremony by Elders Uncle Doc Reynolds and Uncle Henry Dabb, then headed out for an on-country tour to learn about sacred and significant sites, getting a feel for the Tjaltjraak Rangers' deep connection to their country.

Out toward Salmon Gums, the rangers headed to Kardutjaanup, the farm where Tjaltjraak Rangers are working on a seed bank of native bush tucker and medicine. Inside a hot house, local native seeds are germinating, ready to eventually be planted on the farm as part of their carbon trading project.

At Munglinup Beach and Oldfield Estuary, Tjaltjraak Rangers showed GACS Rangers sea country work like island visits, sea life monitoring, and how they catch and collect fish to monitor chemicals in the water. This was a unique learning opportunity for GACS Rangers, who look after land-locked country.

GACS Rangers were also involved in a practical session on tracking and locating Malleefowl nests. The session was led by experienced rangers, who yarned up about the importance of on-the-ground work when looking after Malleefowl, and gave everyone the chance to improve their monitoring skills.

After connecting up and exchanging knowledge and skills with Esperance Tjaltjraak Rangers, GACS Rangers took their new learnings back to their country, successfully hosting the Malleefowl Workshop in October.

Read more about the Malleefowl Workshop here.