Ricoh sponsors Junior Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers

A generous $20,000 contribution from workplace technology provider Ricoh will provide gear for junior Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers caring for country in the Cooktown region.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles welcomed Ricoh’s sponsorship of the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program (QILSRP).

“The money will be used for camping gear and equipment for field activities,” Dr Miles said.

“QILSRP’s Junior Ranger component was developed to encourage young people to appreciate their environment and engage them in caring for country, in a fun and exciting way.

“Through the Junior Ranger program, participants gain valuable skills and a sense of empowerment, and connect with positive role models, both peers and adults.

“The Cooktown Junior Ranger program is run by Yuku-Baja-Muliku Landowner and Reserves Ltd.

“Partners include the Yuku-Baja-Muliku Rangers, Cooktown Youth Group, Cooktown Police Citizens Youth Club, Cooktown District Community Centre and local schools.

“Ricoh’s contribution is another exciting development for the Queensland Government’s highly successful Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program which is delivering real environmental and employment outcomes in sixteen regional communities across Queensland,” Dr Miles said.

“This is the fifth corporate sponsorship project for QILSRP. The others are Conoco Phillips in Gladstone region, which has funded ranger positions; Glencore, which has funded equipment and materials for two QILSRP projects near Bowen; and Origin Energy in Cape York Peninsula,” he said.

Yuku Baja Muliku (YBM) Landowner & Reserves Ltd Managing Director Larissa Hale said the YBM Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers and the YBM Junior Rangers thanked Ricoh for its support and sponsorship for the YBM Junior Ranger program.

“The funds will be used to purchase tents that are more suited to our environment for camps on country, and for iPads and other equipment for field activities,” Ms Hale said.

Ricoh Australia’s General Manager Marketing and Product Strategy, Joe Ciliberto, said Ricoh was thrilled to be supporting the Junior Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program.

“We are committed to creating positive change, and by engaging in socially beneficial activities such as this, we can help improve the next generation’s awareness of conservation and community development,” Mr Ciliberto said.

QILSRP cares for land and sea country, and increases Indigenous participation in environmental management.

Land and sea rangers are employed through local Indigenous host organisations with funding from the Queensland Government. The ranger program is managed by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

Further sponsorship opportunities are available, with details online at:

https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/community/partnership-prospectus/

ENDS

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