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SA Arid Lands Indigenous Ranger Gathering returns for its second year

3 minute read

Ranger teams are stronger when we work together, share information and learn from each other. Across the South Australian arid lands region, ranger teams are working together good way to grow and strengthen their Indigenous land management sector.

Returning for its second year, the SA Arid Lands Indigenous Ranger Gathering brought Aboriginal Corporations and ranger programs together for three days of connecting, learning and sharing on Nukunu Country.

Lindsay Thomas conducts a Welcome to Country for gathering participants.
The gathering participants on Nukunu Country.

Rangers shared their pride for each other's development journeys and recognised their shared priorities and interests for the year ahead – by working together on these shared priorities, the rangers are strengthening the sector and creating a regional network they can all be proud of.

"Not just helps them, but it helps us too, like we can learn off of them on what they do, and they can learn off of us, we are all kinda doing the same thing at the end of the day, looking after Country, sharing ideas."

Kalina Saunders and Jaymisha Whaleboat, Nantawarrina IPA Rangers
(L-R) Jumeka Saunders, Kalina Saunders and Jaymisha Whaleboat.
Staf Smith, Right Place Geo, runs training on data management.
Rangers learning about camera trapping techniques.

The gathering included time for workshops on data collection technology, tracking and trapping techniques and a ranger-to-ranger session where rangers were able to speak openly as peers about their aspirations and challenges.

"Have that time spent with each other just collaborating and just going through all the learning curves and like figuring out what works and what doesn't, the do's and the don't's."

Justin Coulthard, Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation

Mostly, the gathering was about getting to know each other, which is done best around the campfire or at the breakfast table over a cup of tea. Ranger teams who previously hadn't connected, and in some cases didn't know there were teams right next door, are now connected as part of a strong network. Much fun was had along the way including a quiz night and afternoon walks among the foothills of the Flinders Ranges.

Flinders Ranges, Nukunu Country.

"...just sharing knowledge... some ranger teams are older and some are new and some haven't even started yet so just for ranger teams to get together and share knowledge and help each other."

Aamish Warren, Arabana Ranger

The teams are excited to see how the gathering continues to grow across the region.

"And really it would be so good to see more groups and more rangers actually being able to attend and hopefully over the next year and the next year we can get growing onto that."

Cherie Rolfe, Gawler Ranges AC Ranger

The SA Arid Lands Landscape Board and the IDA wish to thank Lindsay Thomas for his Welcome to Nukunu Country and to all the ranger teams for their generosity and leading the way throughout the week.

Clockwise from left: Timmy Amos, Chae Milera, Jaiya Warrior, Justin Coulthard and RC Adam Wagner, Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation; Stanley Wingfield, Hayden Stuart, Zaaheer McKenzie, Aamish Warren, and Tristan Stuart, Arabana AC Rangers; Sunrise over Nhawiranha, Nukunu Country.
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