Representing the desert at World Ranger Congress 2024

In October, a delegation of four Indigenous desert rangers attended the World Ranger Congress in the French town of Hyeres on the Mediterranean coast – a momentous occasion for rangers and their organisations from across the world to gather and collaborate on issues affecting rangers globally.

Anmatyerr man Boyd Elston, Ranger Programs Manager at Central Land Council and Chairperson of the Indigenous Desert Alliance led the delegation, which included Cleveland Kantawara and Lynda Lechleitner from the Central Desert, and Sumayah Surprise from Bayulu Community just north of the Great Sandy Desert. The delegation attended to put the Australian desert on the map, share knowledge and expertise of right way desert fire, water management, two-way science and to learn directly from international land guardians. 

Rangers throughout the world go by many names with an array of responsibilities but all are united in caring for the health of our planet and all living things. Globally, rangers are a vital part of achieving internationally agreed plans to protect 30% of the land and oceans by 2030.  

Here in Australia, Indigenous rangers are already making significant contributions to restoring habitat and achieving healthy ecosystems and the world is recognising that Indigenous led conservation is the best way. More than half of Australia's national reserve system, 90 million hectares, is currently managed through Indigenous Protected Areas.

As one of the last great environmentally and culturally connected landscapes on the planet, the Australian desert is globally important to the shared health of humanity. The delegation of desert rangers advocated for global leaders to deal with the current challenges like climate change, and upholding the human rights of Indigenous communities across the world.

At each World Ranger Congress, rangers commit to a declaration. The Hyeres Declaration, signed by rangers and conservation groups from over 80 countries, calls for greater global recognition and support for rangers who play a critical role in protecting nature and addressing climate change. It urges governments and conservation groups to improve ranger working conditions, provide essential resources like training and equipment, and formally recognise ranger contributions to global conservation goals. It also stresses the importance of fair opportunities for Indigenous people, women and local communities in the ranger workforce.

Outside of contributing to conversations around how the world can better support rangers, Lynda, Boyd, Sumayah and Cleveland were inspired by meeting and listening to strong Indigenous leaders from around the world. Lynda connected strongly with Leandria, an Indigenous woman from the Amazon and the first ever female president of the Brazilian Ranger Federation. Connected by their mutual commitment to their culture, family and homelands, the two spoke about their respective experiences as rangers in the Amazon and in Australia, quickly realising that despite the obvious differences, their challenges and achievements were often the same.

The IDA would like to thank its partner, Thin Green Line for its support of Indigenous rangers making the long journey to southern France for the World Ranger Congress.