Cardwell
- Ranger team
- Girringun Rangers
- Host organisation
- Girringun Aboriginal Corporation
The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation represents the interests of Traditional Owners from nine groups: the Nywaigi, Gugu Badhan, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Bandjin, Girramay, Gulnay, Jirrbal and Djiru people.
The Girringun Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) covers over 1.2 million hectares in far north Queensland and includes parts of the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas, and Girringun rangers strive toprotect the cultural and environmental values of this biodiverse country.
Girringun rangers’ work includes:
- maintaining and expanding revegetation sites throughout the Girringun IPA
- undertaking traditional and hazard reduction burns in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and other landholders to reduce the likelihood of high intensity wildfires
- conserving mahogany glider and southern cassowary populations through revegetation programs, recovery team meetings and public education and awareness campaigns
- surveying, recording and managing cultural heritage sites including art galleries, cemetery sites, story places and traditional fish traps through clearing debris, managing fire and weeds, and installing feral animal exclusion fencesmonitoring and managing pest animals such as feral pigs, and weeds (including hymenachne, siam weed and lantana) in partnership with Biosecurity Queensland and QPWS
- undertaking independent and joint marine patrols of the Girringun Traditional Use Marine Resource Agreement (TUMRA) area with QPWS and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
- monitoring seagrass and dugong, conducting biosecurity surveys and responding to marine animal strandings
- maintaining walking tracks in national parks including Hinchinbrook Island, Murray Falls and Wallaman Falls in partnership with QPWS, and undertaking visitor management patrols and engagement
- engaging young people in caring for country, through the Girringun Junior Ranger Program, work experience programs and holiday programs.