Archer Point
- Ranger team
- Yuku Baja Muliku Rangers
- Host organisation
- Yuku-Baja-Muliku Landowner & Reserves Ltd (YBM)
The Yuku Baja Muliku people are traditional custodians of Archer Point, near Cooktown. Yuku Baja Muliku Rangers care for their country, bordering the world-heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics, to protect its rich biodiversity and cultural values.
Yuku Baja Muliku rangers’ work includes:
- participating in scientific research projects including monitoring seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitats, mussel beds and feral animals
- recording, mapping and protecting important cultural heritage sites including story places and ceremonial sites, fish traps, middens, fish habitats and camp sites
- monitoring and managing feral animals such as pigs and invasive weeds
- monitoring water quality in the Annan River and documenting cultural connections to water and use of resources
- patrolling land and sea country for illegal camping and fishing, and undertaking beach cleanups and maintaining campgrounds and signage
- undertaking fire management to promote and protect the region’s biodiversity, using traditional and modern methods
- engaging with young people through a weekly Junior Ranger after-school program, Junior Ranger camps and a school holiday cadetship program for sharing cultural knowledge and language.
YBM also coordinates the Queensland Indigenous Women Ranger Network (QIWRN), which aims to enhance the capabilities of women rangers though mentoring, training and networking support.