Land and Sea Ranger Program

Led by Mark Anderson
Operations Manager

Mark.Anderson@tsra.gov.au

Phone: (07) 4069 0700

Contact Ranger Program Staff

Achievements for 2010/2011

• An independent review of the Ranger Program was conducted in 2010, resulting in an agreement between the TSRA and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council to realign the operations of the Ranger Program to meet program outcomes.  The transition was completed in 2011.
• 21 full-time Rangers are now employed on seven outer island communities - Mabuiag, Badu, Iama, Erub, Boigu, Mer and Moa.
• In 2010, Rangers undertook professional development as part of the formal qualification Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management.
  

Ranger Program Overview

The Torres Strait Ranger Program helps communities to look after their land and sea areas. The Program employs Torres Strait Islanders in each community as Indigenous Rangers, and provides training, materials and equipment to carry out on-ground works. The Rangers' work is identified together with their communities and carried out by the Rangers in ways that are culturally appropriate.

Our Indigenous Rangers are well supported to do their jobs as a part of a broader team of people working to improve the Torres Strait environment. They are also linked to ranger teams all over Australia. While work on each island is different, the Rangers can work with their community on:

• Dugong and Turtle conservation
• Beach protection and clean up
• Looking after places that are important to communities
• Controlling weeds and feral animals

The Ranger Program represents a long term aspiration of Traditional Owners and communities in the Torres Strait. The Program is a partnership between the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC), who work to deliver the initiative together with participating Registered Native Title Bodies Corporates (RNTBCs) and communities.  The Program is being implemented through a staged approach. Participating communities include Mabuiag, Badu, Boigu, Erub, Iama, Mer and Moa. Ranger Program opportunities will be discussed with the remaining Torres Strait Island communities as the Program is rolled out. The day to day arrangements for the Program include:

TSRA manages the Ranger Program across the Torres Strait region and provides employment, training and mentor support to Rangers.

RNTBCs and communities have a critical role to help determine local priorities and provide cultural advice and guidance.

The Torres Strait Ranger Program is funded by the Working on Country element of the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country Program.