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Ranger Collaborations

To express interest in applying for Ranger Team Exchange funding contact exchanges@indigenousdesertalliance.com

The IDA supports Indigenous ranger teams working in the desert to undertake collaborations and exchanges.

Ranger collaborations support the professional capacity development of desert rangers by maintaining connections between rangers working across the desert (and elsewhere in Australia) and by providing a platform for the exchange of information and enhancement of skills and knowledge.

Recent Ranger Team Exchanges

  1. Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Watarru Rangers travelled to Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary to learn from the Newhaven Rangers and Australian Wildlife Conservancy staff on how to build, maintain and manage a large-scale predator proof fence. APY Warru ranger Neville Entata undertook a one-month placement with Monarto Zoo to build skills in animal handling and the conservation sector.
  2. The Warnpurru Rangers, who are an emerging ranger team, did more ranger-to-ranger learning with their neighbours, visiting Kanyirninipa Jukurrpa (KJ) Martu Rangers, Kiwirrkurra Rangers and Ngaanyatjarra Ranger Teams. Read and watch part one of the Warnpurru Ranger Exchange from 2022.
  3. Ngurra Kayanta Rangers travelled to meet with KJ’s highly experienced Kunawarritji Rangers to share ideas and experiences about running remote ranger field trips.
  4. Ngururrpa Rangers met with the Kunawarritji Rangers and Traditional Owners to share stories, discuss family trees, share language and monitor and discuss looking after the Night Parrot and Bilby.
  5. Goldfields Esperance Rangers exchanged knowledge about looking after protected plants and animals, with a focus on the Malleefowl. Camp locations included sea country in Esperance and station country owned by Traditional Owners in the Kalgoorlie Goldfields region.
  6. The Nyangumarta Rangers travelled and met with the APY Warru Rangers and the Nyikina Mangala Rangers to exchange knowledge and skills about looking after the Black-footed Rock-wallaby.
  7. Ngaanyatjarras’ Warburton Women’s Ranger Team, Warakurna Ranger Team and Warnpurru Ranger Team visited the Kiwirrkurra Rangers to learn about their expert feral cat management.

Watch ranger teams share their exchange stories at the 2022 IDA Conference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ranger team exchanges?

Ranger exchanges support professional capacity development of desert rangers by maintaining connections between rangers working across the desert and providing a platform for exchange of information and enhancement of skills and knowledge.

Exchanges can vary from being just one ranger who is looking to develop their skills though to a whole ranger team wanting to visit or host another ranger team.

It might be that be that a group is just starting out on their journey to develop a ranger team. One of the best ways for new or emerging ranger groups to understand more about the job is to spend time with a group who has been doing ranger work on their country for a while. For instance, a few members of a group that is just starting out might accompany a ranger team on a typical work week. It can be a bit like work experience. 

We have also heard that many of you would like the opportunity to undertake exchanges with groups from outside of the desert who are doing similar work, but in a different environment. We like the idea too and think that this is a good way for desert rangers to feel connected to the work that rangers are doing across Australia, learn new skills and to access broader support networks. 

There is plenty of scope so let us know what you are keen on doing! 

Who is eligible?

Aboriginal organisations that are currently members of the IDA or who satisfy IDA member requirements can apply.

A member must be an organisation that is primarily focused on working with Indigenous land managers on desert country

If you would like to clarify whether your organisation can apply, please get in contact at exchanges@indigenousdesertalliance.com 

"I had an amazing time with the rangers that came all the way from li-Anthawirriyarra and Nyangumarta. It was a pleasure to have them here doing the ranger exchange. I felt so proud"

Jodie Ward, Kiwirrkurra Ranger

Featured Stories

Warning: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away which may cause sadness or distress.