Working well for rangers
A new indigenous ranger program in the Kuranda, Barron Gorge and Mona Mona areas is helping young jobseekers get work ready. The Bulmba Rangers have restored traditional fire management practices, helped control yellow crazy ant outbreaks and given the community an insight into cultural practices. Djabugay Aboriginal Corporation senior project officer Barry J. Hunter said the project fulfilled a traditional owner aim to both care for country and help local jobseekers learn new skills.
A NEW indigenous ranger program in the Kuranda, Barron Gorge and Mona Mona areas is helping young jobseekers get work ready.
The Bulmba Rangers have restored traditional fire management practices, helped control yellow crazy ant outbreaks and given the community an insight into cultural practices.
Djabugay Aboriginal Corporation senior project officer Barry J. Hunter said the project fulfilled a traditional owner aim to both care for country and help local jobseekers learn new skills.
Rangers have undertaken successful burns in partnership with the Queensland Rural Fire Brigade thanks to equipment and training in fire management practices funded through a Rainforest Aboriginal Grant from Terrain NRM through the National Landcare Program.
They have also been to Australian Tropical Herbarium workshops on traditional uses of local plants.
Bulmba Rangers have also staged a community cultural day in Kuranda where about 150 people enjoyed craft and language activities.
They have also visited schools and talked with students about Djabugay culture.
Mr Hunter said both participants and the greater community had benefited from the new program.
“It is a good start that Bulmba Rangers are playing a role in managing our cultural and natural resources,’’ he said.
Another priority of the program has been working with Kuranda Envirocare to eradicate a yellow crazy ant outbreak near the Barron River.
Rangers helped to bait the ants and monitored results.
The Bulmba Rangers began about 12 months ago as a community development program run by the Buda-Dji Aboriginal Development Association and Rise Ventures.
Organisers hope the initiative will become a fully funded permanent program.