First time gathering for SA’s First Nations rangers

Hosted by the Alinytjara Wiluṟara (AW) Landscape Board with funding from the Landscape Priorities Fund, it marked the first statewide gathering of its kind. 

The conference, held over three days, provided a dedicated space for First Nations rangers from across South Australia to share knowledge, strengthen skills and work through shared challenges. 

It builds on momentum from the 2023 SA Aboriginal Land and Sea Management Workshop where rangers called for stronger coordination and long‑term support to grow the sector. 

The event was co-designed by rangers for rangers, with Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation Yarluwar Ruwe Ranger Coordinator Daryl Clarke engaged to deliver the event. 

A guiding working group was set up that included Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara, the Indigenous Desert Alliance, Arabana Aboriginal Corporation and Country Needs People, along with AW’s General Manager Kim Krebs. 

Day one saw ranger teams sharing examples of their work and keynote speakers from across Australia provided examples of the power and strength that comes from working within networks. 

Day two was focused on training and skills, with practical workshops on traditional fire, biosecurity, revegetation and feral cat management. 

On the final day, rangers worked on ways to maintain momentum, with workshops developing content for a proposed state Indigenous Ranger Strategy. 

In response, South Australia’s landscape boards are now working collaboratively with conference attendees to begin drafting an Aboriginal Land and Sea Rangers State Strategy, aimed at supporting a sustainable, culturally strong ranger workforce into the future. 

“The idea was for this to be more than a conference,” said Kim Krebs. “Building a strategy gives the gathering longevity, an outcome that goes well beyond the three days spent together. 

“It was impressive to see everyone come together, engage deeply with the program, and leave ready to take the next steps to build recognition and professionalism among rangers across the state.” 

Kim said the AW Landscape Board will carry forward the success of last week’s conference to begin planning the next statewide gathering.

Landscape Priorities funding is sourced from landscape levies collected by Green Adelaide in the Adelaide metropolitan area and redistributed to South Australia’s regional landscape boards. It enables investment in large, landscape-scale projects that address regional and cross-regional priorities that support environmental, economic and agriculture outcomes for all South Australians. 

Find out more about Landscape Priorities Funding.