The Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation has been selected as a grant recipient in Round 8 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program.
The funding of $1,075,336 will enable the corporation to establish the Karri Karrak Program within the Conservation Estate of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Donnelly and Blackwood Districts, situated in the Karri Karrak region.
Through the Karri Karrak Junior Ranger Program, the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation (KKAC) will enhance the management and delivery of sustainable recreational activities.
This will entail monitoring programs for native species, adaptive management strategies, scientific surveys, and bushfire management efforts to protect populations of endangered flora and fauna, their habitats, and local communities in the Donnelly and Blackwood Districts.
The Western Australian Aboriginal Ranger Program supports Aboriginal organisations in managing their land and preserving the environment, in collaboration with both public and private sectors. This initiative is overseen by the Parks and Wildlife Service of the DBCA.
Under the Co-Operative Management Arrangements between KKAC and DBCA, the program will provide Junior Rangers with comprehensive training, as well as supervision from qualified and experienced professionals.
Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation chair, Wardandi Noongar man Stephen van Leeuwen, said KKAC are thrilled to receive funding from round 8 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program.
"This funding provides the opportunity for Noongar youth in the south west forests of WA to reconnect with Country and culture and, in so doing, build their capacity and capability to continue the Noongar stewardship of boodja that has been practiced for millennia, while allowing their community to grow and support families," he said.
"The Corporation looks forward to building on this success and unlocking additional opportunities to empower our Noongar community as they deliver nature-positive outcomes through traditional land and sea management practices."
The initiative aims to lay the groundwork for future Ranger programs, enhance the capacity for Custodianship activities, facilitate knowledge sharing on Country, promote Noongar education and leadership, and create opportunities for Noongar individuals to pursue careers in land management.
