Following a journey of six years, in late 2023 the Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation (KKPAC) was one of fifteen successful First Nations organisations to receive funding for ranger positions in the second tranche of rangers of the hundred additional positions committed in 2020. The following information has been provided by the Queensland Minister for Environment:

Four Kabi Kabi rangers will soon be appointed and commence work to look after their land and sea country of the Sunshine Coast. This includes the surf coast, tidal reaches of Pumicestone Passage, lakes, rivers, wetlands and swamps, eucalypt woodlands and the rainforest-clad ranges of the coastal hinterland.

Their priorities include:

  • cultural heritage site recording and management of priority sites
  • cultural promotion and transmission of Kabi Kabi culture, identity and connection to country and through community events
  • working with landholders and local Councils to reinstate burning for cultural purposes, biodiversity protection and fuel reduction
  • biosecurity monitoring including strategic control and monitoring of weed incursions in ecologically and culturally sensitive sites
  • visitor management and engagement including ranger patrols to high visitation and sensitive sites
  • working with partners to improve conservation outcomes for threatened species.

Knowledge from our Frist Nations peoples on our environment is invaluable and that funding has been provided for the set-up phases for Kabi Kabi Rangers is very welcomed. Sandy also met with Nathan, who will be working with our rangers in everything from safeguarding threatened animals to fighting invasive ones, through to managing fire risks and assisting with disasters and state emergencies.

Sandy is thrilled with this outcome and thanks everyone involved including Noosa Landcare in the beginning to our Kabi Kabi and the Department.

Further information

For our previous Noosa 360 updates on this matter, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Indigenous+rangers

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