Long-term funding now available for Indigenous Ranger groups

The grant round for Indigenous Rangers funding to 2028 has opened, with long-term funding available for existing ranger groups to continue their land and water management and conservation efforts.

All Indigenous ranger organisations currently funded through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy are invited to apply.

Over the past fourteen years, this program has strengthened Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ connection to country while providing more than 2100 jobs and training opportunities in communities across Australia.

The Indigenous Rangers program helps traditional owners, elders and local communities set their own priorities and manage the lands and waters they know best, informed by traditional knowledge and cultural practice.

In 2020, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP and the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, announced $102 million will be available each year through to 2028 for Indigenous Rangers activities.

This grant round allows organisations to be more strategic in their planning, invest in and retain staff that have a high-level of land management skills and offer greater employment security, and develop longer term programs that create innovative ways to protect environmental and cultural heritage assets.

Funding opportunities for new ranger groups is considered through other funding processes and any group wanting to apply should discuss options with their local National Indigenous Australians Agency office.

The grant round closes at 3.00pm (AEDT) on29 March 2021.

More information on the Indigenous Rangers program is available on the NIAA website.