The first-ever Indigenous Ranger Gathering for the SA Arid Lands is being planned for Roxby Downs Station from 19 to 21 September 2023.
The three-day event is an initiative of Kokatha Pastoral, the Indigenous Desert Alliance and the SA Arid Landscape Board, with support from BHP and NIAA.
It’s hoped the gathering will strengthen the ranger network in the region, and give attendees the chance to share their successes and learnings, as well as building support for new groups.
It’s also a fantastic opportunity to showcase Kokatha Pastoral’s team and the land management work it has done on Country.
Special guests will be in attendance, with representatives from successful ranger groups in WA and the NT sharing their experiences.
The idea for the event was initiated by ranger groups that are part of the SA Arid Lands (SAAL) Landscape Board’s Aboriginal Engagement Network, who attended a recent SA Aboriginal Land and Sea Management Workshop in Hahndorf.
In two other firsts, immediately following the Ranger gathering Kokatha Pastoral is preparing to launch its own Indigenous Ranger Program and sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Arid Recovery.
The MOU represents a non-binding agreement between Kokatha Pastoral and Arid Recovery to work together on shared goals around caring for Country and for the building of knowledge and the capacity of people to do so.
There will be an opportunity for Kokatha members to assist with plans, as well as participate in the launch. More information will be provided in the near future.