Cairns North—Port Douglas
- Ranger team
- Yirrganydji Land and Sea Rangers
- Host organisation
- Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation
The Yirrganydji Land and Sea rangers care for the cultural and environmental values of Yirrganydji Country between Cairns north and Port Douglas, for the benefit of current and future generations.
Their land and sea country includes the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage areas, and encompasses a unique array of habitats, plants, and animals, which are of worldwide conservation significance.
Yirrganydji rangers’ work includes:
- engaging with Traditional Owners, land managers and partners about management of Yirrganydji land and sea country values
- recording, monitoring and managing cultural heritage sites and values
- managing sea country in accordance with the Yirrganydji Sea Country plan, through sea patrols, reef health monitoring and restoration, coastal bird surveys, mangrove and seagrass habitat monitoring, compliance patrols and reporting
- beach cleanups and litter removal
- habitat rehabilitation and restoration through revegetation
- cultural burning to protecting threatened species and their habitats, manage pest plants and feral animals, and conserve cultural heritage
- managing weeds and feral animals in priority areas, targeting priority species
- facilitating knowledge transfer through on-country activities for the Yirrganydji community with a focus on community, culture, arts and language
- community education programs to increase understanding about threats to sea country and measures to avoid or minimise these threats
- engaging with young people and schools to promote an understanding of, and respect for, Yirrganydji culture and Country.