Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers protecting the future of the Great Barrier Reef have received millions in funding to continue their work.
More than 200 Indigenous rangers are currently involved in the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program, with 130 employees working across the reef's catchments and coastlines.
The federal government have committed $15 million towards ongoing efforts, with $12.3 million dedicated toward Indigenous rangers.
An additional $3 million will be injected into long-term reef health through the People and Land Connections Program.
Funding will be delivered through a grant process overseen by the Queensland Government.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said Indigenous ranges continue a 65,000 year-old history of caring for Country across the continent, including the Great Barrier Reef.
"This investment will help expand the Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program in Queensland, supporting management of land and sea Country according to Traditional Owners' objectives combined with modern conservation training," Minister McCarthy said.
The federal government has already committed $1.2 billion for the protection and restorations of the Great Barrier Reef.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the Federal Government is continuing its commitment to support strong partnerships with Traditional Owners to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
"There are approximately 70 Traditional Owner groups whose sea Country includes the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and who are Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef region," Minister Watt said.
"First Nations people were the custodians and caretakers of the Reef. They have been successfully looking after Country for 65,000 years. We want to see more Traditional Owners protecting more of our land."
Funding will also support the CSIRO to continue their Integrated Human Dimension Monitoring and Reporting for Adaptive Management program around the reef.
"On World Ranger Day, we are honouring the incredible work of rangers across the globe, especially the Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers caring for the Great Barrier Reef and its surrounding ecosystems," the Great Barrier Reef Foundation wrote to social media on Thursday.
"Thank you for your strength, your stewardship and your leadership."
Also on Thursday, World Ranger Day, Minister McCarthy and Minister Watt invited Indigenous Rangers to enter a competition celebrating and showcasing the land and waterways they care for.
The National Indigenous Australians Agency and Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water-run 'Healthy Country, Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities' is a national photography and video competition, providing an opportunity for rangers to showcase their work.
"On World Ranger Day, we recognise the outstanding contributions of Indigenous rangers who care for Country with deep knowledge and dedication," Minister McCarthy said on Thursday.
"Indigenous rangers are doing incredible work every day, protecting the environment, preserving biodiversity and keeping culture strong.
"This competition is a chance for Indigenous rangers to share their stories and celebrate the beauty of Country."
In last year's budget the Federal Government committed $1.3 billion for Indigenous Rangers Programs through to 2028, with the intention to double the number of workers in the sector.
Wednesday's release indicated 1,000 new Indigenous ranger positions across 115 projects nationally were created last year.
"The International Ranger Federation proudly recognises rangers as frontline defenders of planetary health. Their diverse roles span from wildlife protection, law enforcement, environmental education, and community engagement to fire management, disease prevention, and sustainable resource use," the International Ranger Foundation (IRF) said on World Ranger Day.
"These functions are fundamental to the effective management of Protected and Conserved Areas—whether carried out by state, community, Indigenous, or voluntary rangers."
IRF sourced academic studies suggest there are approximately 286,000 rangers globally.
"It's important we commemorate the vital work of rangers who protect our natural and cultural heritage. In Australia, Indigenous rangers stand at the forefront of this effort, combining traditional knowledge with contemporary science to care for Country," Minister Watt said.
"Their connection to Country runs deep. It is the foundation of Indigenous identity and culture, rooted in more than 65,000 years of continuous care for land, rivers, seas and the living ecosystems of Country across Australia."
Minister Watt added the photo and video competition is an opportunity for Indigenous rangers to be celebrated "not just as caretakers of Country, but as guardians for their people, nurturing strength, compassion and kindness within communities".
