The Indigenous Rangers Program (Rangers Program) assists First Nations people in managing Country according to Traditional Owners’ objectives. Indigenous rangers use traditional knowledge and cultural practices, combined with Western science, to manage land, river and sea Country and deliver environmental, cultural, social and economic development outcomes.

Through the Rangers Program, the Australian Government acknowledges and supports First Nations peoples’ unique, critical and continuing role in managing and protecting Australia’s natural and cultural heritage and is increasing investment in programs.

On Country activities that the River Rangers are involved in include:

• engaging with community and Traditional Owners to plan land and water management activities

• fire management - cultural burning and bushfire mitigation

• biodiversity conservation - habitat and threatened species management, invasive species management, freshwater and sea Country management

• strengthening First Nations language and culture

• cultural heritage protection and maintenance

• intergenerational knowledge transfer, education, training and capability development

• biosecurity monitoring

• partnerships with research, education, philanthropic and commercial organisations

• building and retaining employment in the Indigenous Land and Water Management sector.