The rangers have been employed to work in national parks across South Australia, including in the Limestone Coast, Eyre Peninsula, Far West Coast, Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island and Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges.

The initiative, which was launched in 2022, draws on Aboriginal expertise and knowledge in caring for Country.

The Aboriginal rangers support park conservation and management activities, maintain park facilities, participate in fire and emergency response and ensure park visitors enjoy a safe and memorable experience.

They also play an important role in maintaining, promoting and sustaining cultural sites, storytelling and language to provide a much richer experience for people visiting our national parks.

The Aboriginal Rangers Program is part of the government’s broader commitment to ensure greater involvement of Aboriginal people in the management of protected areas and enhance the capability of the National Parks and Wildlife Service to manage national parks.

This includes a co-management model for some national parks, creating a partnership between the state government and Aboriginal groups that combines traditional knowledge with contemporary park management.

The co-management of parks also plays an important role in advancing the reconciliation process and managing matters relating to traditional land ownership.

There are 12 co-management agreements in place over 35 of South Australia’s parks and reserves, covering 13.5 million hectares or 64 per cent of the reserve system, which equates to 13 per cent of the land area of South Australia.