Central Land Council ranger camp forges physical and electronic connections to country

A group of rangers have physically – and electronically – strengthened their connection to country, thanks to a three day camp. Find out how.

Anthony Petrick and the Akityarre Rangers undertaking Indigenous mapping training. The Central Land Council held a three day ranger camp at Ross River Resort, south east of Alice Springs, on March 25 to 27. Picture: Central Land Council

Fourteen ranger groups have strengthened their connection to country – both physically and electronically – while also learning new skills which mean they no longer have to “run around in the scrub”.

The groups gathered at Rodd River Resort for the camp, where they learned how to use drones and technology to map terrain, completed first aid and four-wheel-driving courses, and were taught the proper use of weed killing chemicals.

Jeffrey Curtis from the Muru-Warinyi Ankkul Rangers handles a snake. Picture: Central Land Council

Preston Kelly, a ranger since 2009, said no one in his group currently used a drone.

“This is my first time using a drone. It’s really interesting and everyone seems to be like getting into using drones,” he said.

With the new skill learned, Mr Kelly said using a drone would make it “more easy for doing site surveys near the hills”.

“(It will) save us from having to run around in the scrub. We can go down with the drone to check the creek line,” he said.

During the course of the camp, female rangers also trained together in groups, Central Land Council (CLC) general manager Mischa Cartwright said.

“This ‘by women, for women’ training empowers female rangers to develop their skills in a supportive environment,” she said.

Bevan Pepperill and the Anmatyerr Rangers using a drone. Picture: Central Land Council

For Anangu Luritjiku ranger Annalee Athois, the women-only training group provided ample space for collaboration and connection with other female rangers.

Based in Papunya, Ms Athois said learning how to use a drone for work meant they could better focus their time and efforts.

“We can check what sites we need to go out to with the drone first. Check if the site is ok. That the water is ok and if not then we go and fix it up,” she said.

“I learned about mapping on the iPad, more on camera traps and using drones. Camera traps are useful as we use them to take photos of the animals that walk past during the night.”

The ranger camp was facilitated by the CLC and ran from March 25 to 27.

The Batchelor Institute also celebrated rangers who graduated with their conservation and land management certificates during the camp.