Palaszczuk Government recognises rangers this World Ranger Day

On World Ranger Day today, the Palaszczuk Government is recognising the more than 800 Queensland rangers who maintain the natural and cultural values of our unique environment, including more than 1000 parks, forests and marine parks.

Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said World Ranger Day was a chance for Queenslanders to show support for our rangers.

“Our rangers do amazing work in preserving our natural environment, taking care of our National Parks including walking trails and camping areas, and monitoring the health of our landscapes,” Ms Enoch said.

“There are more than 800 Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service hard-working rangers in Queensland, and more than 100 Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers who carry out vital work in caring for country and culture.”

Ms Enoch said World Ranger Day was also established to remember rangers across the globe who have been injured or killed while looking after natural treasures, wildlife and cultural heritage.

“Today is also the chance for parks and wildlife officers to remember colleagues around the world and celebrate the work of their profession,” she said.

“Across the world, rangers are at the front line to help protect our natural heritage, caring for more than 100,000 reserves, parks and protected areas globally.”

Ms Enoch said celebrations would be held across Queensland today to acknowledge World Ranger Day.

“People are able to meet their local rangers at celebrations being held at Toowoomba, Daisy Hill and at Lake Eacham on the Atherton Tableland.

“We have many dedicated and hard-working rangers in Queensland who work on different projects specific to their local areas, but all work towards a common goal: to preserve our beautiful environment.

“In Far North Queensland, our rangers do fantastic work in controlling pests, monitoring biodiversity and species, protecting cultural heritage and monitoring turtles on the Great Barrier Reef.

“In the Whitsundays, rangers have been cleaning up the region’s National Parks after Tropical Cyclone Debbie, including upgrading camping infrastructure and building a new walking track at Whitehaven.

“On the Gold Coast our rangers manage fires, weeds and feral animals and maintain tracks, boardwalks and camping areas.

“And in Western Queensland, our rangers tackle feral animals including cats and wild dogs, and protect important native species.

“Thank you to all of our dedicated rangers for all of the hard work and important tasks they do, from the desert to the reef.”

More information about World Ranger Day, which was initiated in 2007 can be found at the International Ranger Federation (IRF) website.

More information about some of Queensland’s spectacular national parks and the dedicated rangers who look after them can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/qldnationalparks

As part of World Ranger Day, “meet your local rangers” events are being held at the following locations on Tuesday 31 July:

• Daisy Hill Conservation Park day-use area from 11.30am–1pm
• Hartmans Reserve at Toowoomba from 3pm onwards
• Lake Eacham (Crater Lakes National Park) at lunchtime

Media contact: 0437 859 987