The next round of the Aboriginal Ranger Grants program is now open for applications, as part of this year's $2.1m investment into the highly successful initiative by the Territory Labor Government.
The program includes grants from our Land and Sea Management Fund (LSMF) and Ichthys LNG's $1.75m Coastal Management Offset grants.
Projects that increase employment outcomes, partner with businesses, industry and the Government and non-Government sector in innovative ways, and increase climate change adaptation and knowledge will be given priority.
Investing in Aboriginal Rangers is an election commitment of the Territory Government and the success of the program has already supported increased employment opportunities on country and built strong Aboriginal leadership, organisational governance and capacity.
LSMF funding can be sought for a various activities including:
feral, fire and weed managementmanagement of threatened and iconic speciescultural management (protection of cultural sites and knowledge)training and skills developmentdevelopment of governance structuresenvironmental and ecological monitoring and evaluationinnovative projects that build Aboriginal land management capacity and capability
The Ichthys LNG Coastal Offset Strategy program focusses on the conservation management of dugongs, cetaceans and threatened marine matters of national environmental significance in the Top End and provides for both capital and project funding.
The Guidelines and eligibility for the grants program are available on the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security website:
Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program - Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security here
Applications must be submitted through the Northern Territory Government GrantsNT here online portal.
Quotes from Minister for Parks and Rangers, Nicole Manison
"Our Aboriginal rangers do a terrific job on country - conserving our coastline, while protecting our iconic marine and wild life."
"These grants have delivered outstanding results for the Territory, providing increased employment on country and more local decision making opportunities."
"The Territory Government is proud to have awarded more than $15.7m to Aboriginal Ranger Groups through its Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program."
Quotes from INPEX General Manager Northern Territory, Roland Houareau
"Aboriginal Rangers play a critical role in the management and protection of many pristine and unique land and sea environments in the NT.
"The $A 24 million Ichthys LNG Coastal Management Offset Fund supports rangers and sea managers to deliver programs to protect a variety of eligible species including dugongs, dolphins, whales, turtles, sharks and birds.
"Not only does the program deliver environmental benefits, it also provides opportunities for rangers to work on country, supporting broader social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people in the NT."
Quotes from Kenbi Senior Ranger, Rex Sing
"Having the accommodation on Indian Island makes it a lot safer than camping down on the beach and we no longer have to cart water by boat from the mainland."
Quotes from Kenbi Senior Ranger, John Moreen
"The House on Indian Island is the best thing to happen to Kenbi Rangers in the 10 years I have been with the group. It is now so much safer for us to stay on the Island."
Northern Territory Government
