The Queensland Government has allocated funding for 46 new positions for Indigenous rangers to extend the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program, which is part of a $24 million investment to double the number of Indigenous rangers from 100 to 200.

The new positions will provide opportunities for more First Nations communities across Queensland to care for Country, protect the environment and pass on cultural knowledge.

Indigenous rangers are responsible for providing a broad range of conservation services such as feral animal and pest plant control, cultural heritage site protection, soil conservation, biodiversity monitoring and cultural burns, services vital for protecting and conserving Country while passing on cultural knowledge to future generations.

Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Project Coordinator Justine Dillon said the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program has brought her coastal community closer together.

"The Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program has brought our community closer together, and it is bringing so much hope for our rangers," she said.

Ms Dillon said the organisation had recently hired their first ranger who requires wheelchair access, which the program has accommodated, encouraging inclusivity.

"We have just hired our first ranger that has a physical disability and requires wheelchair access, and we are removing obstacles and barriers to our work sites and adding pathways for him."

"We are being fully inclusive and equitable by making working on Country as accessible as possible for anyone who wants to be a ranger."

Through the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program, First Nations communities can provide guidance to young people through junior ranger programs and school-based education and training.

This program supports jobs and delivers positive environmental, cultural, social, and economic outcomes for First Nations communities.

Traditional Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations, Councils, and incorporated non-for-profit organisations are encouraged to apply for funding to employ new rangers.

Organisations will need to demonstrate support from Traditional Owners and explain the environmental and cultural outcomes for Country that the rangers would deliver.

The applications for the 46 new positions will close on 24 April 2023, with more information available here.