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World Ranger Day
World Ranger Day is an initiative of the International Ranger Federation and is celebrated each July 31. It's the day to celebrate the work Rangers do in protecting our natural and cultural treasures and commemorate those killed or injured in the line of duty.
This year the QRA is celebrating World Ranger Day with a number of breakfasts across the state. All DERM staff are invited to join us in celebrating World Ranger Day at one of these.
Breakfasts will occur either on the morning of the 29th or 30th of July as a lead up to World Ranger Day on the 31st. Each breakfast will be raising money for the Thin Green Line Foundation which provides support for families of rangers killed in the line of duty.
As an added incentive, each person who attends a breakfast will go into a local draw to win a power of one pack consisting of:
- Thin Green Line Foundation membership, offering discounts at affiliated stores and priority tickets to the Thin Green Line festival
- An organic slave labour free t-shirt
- The Thin Green Line Documentary DVD
- A Thin Green Line sticker
More information can be found in our World Ranger Day flyer (119 KB) or by contacting .
Posted 26 July 2010; discuss this in the forum
New executive
An all new QRA executive was elected at the 2010 conference. The new members are:
- Chair: Andy Dutton
- Deputy chair: Brett Stallbaum
- Treasurer: Matt Wallace
- Secretary: Miki Bradley
Congratulations to the new executive and thank you to the out going members for their hard work for the association.
Posted 02 April 2010; discuss this in the forum
Conference almost sold out!
There are now less than 20 places remaining for our 2010 QRA conference. If you haven't booked your place, check out our conference page for details.
Head to the annual conference section of our forum to arrange a lift or see who else is going.
Posted 22 February 2010; discuss this in the forum
2010 annual conference information
Details have been finalised for our 2010 QRA conference at Kurrimine Beach. Cost this year is $80 per person and places are limited to 75 Rangers. Visit our conference page for more details and information on how to secure your place.
Posted 26 January 2010; discuss this in the forum
AGM minutes now online
The minutes from our 2009 annual general meeting have been passed and are now available here in the members area of our forum. If you haven 't already registered on the forum, check out this post for details on getting access to the members area and minutes.
Posted 10 May 2009; discuss this in the forum
Volunteering in South Africa
The QRA has been contacted by Evan Kruckow of Conservation Volunteers Australia to notify us of a unique volunteer opportunity in Kruger National Park. The following is the email from Evan:
I will be leading a volunteer team to South Africa later this year and want to let you know of the opportunity to be part of this team. It's a fantastic opportunity to visit one of the most famous locations on the planet, in your own game reserve and contribute to its protection while your there, truly a unique experience.
The project predominately aims to collect baseline data on animal population and movement through the Greater Kruger National Park to ensure correct management practices are put in place to protect both animals and their natural vegetative habitat. The Balule Nature Reserve, in which the project is set, has only recently been connected to the Kruger with all the fences coming down in late 2007. The data is used to assist in management decisions throughout the reserve and is contributing to the development of a best practice management model that will enable the best possible outcomes for both animal populations and environmental quality. The data of the first team in 2006 has already assisted in directing management towards better conservation outcomes by detailing real population numbers of animals such as the antelopes that have previously been culled in the area without prior knowledge of existing population numbers and ability to adapt to lower numbers etc.
The conservation project is becoming more and more recognised within the reserve and the Kruger National Park region that we are now expanding our activities. Other activities that volunteers will complete include:
Animal Population Surveys - as mentioned above to count numbers of different animals and differentiate sex, age, condition. We would also like to include assessment on reaction to vehicles and tourists to decipher over a longer period of time if this affects survey results. This is done by both an am and pm game drive. In 2008 within the first three days volunteers had counted; lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and many more.
Lion Kill Surveys - documenting what lions are feeding on (within a safe distance!) throughout the game drive or from other game viewing radio information. At the moment presumptions on the prey of lions is being made and management decisions such as introducing more animals of a species for lions to prey upon are being jumped too without the correct data. This could have devastating effects on population dynamics.
Elephant Populations - elephants get a pretty bad rap within the Kruger National Park! This usually relates to the population numbers and the visual destruction of vegetation. We are assisting Save the Elephant Foundation with population dynamics and frequency of visitation to water points across Balule by taking down distinctive characteristic data and also photographing them to establish individuals, this will assist in again providing correct information for future conservation decisions.
Water Point Surveys - this area often experiences extreme drought and the current status of water availability to animals is unknown. As water availability is one of the most pertinent factors in animal populations and movement it is invaluable to have a data-base of the status quo of water on the reserve. This is completed through GPS surveys and ground water measurements.
Vegetation Surveys - similar to water availability, vegetation communities can dictate animal population and movement. Understanding the vegetation and the way it reacts to animal grazing is essential in understanding the wider community dynamics and will contribute to management decisions such as to clear or not to clear certain vegetation types. This is completed through grass identification within transects across the reserve.
Not only do we undertake a lot of valuable research but also just the experience of being in the African bush is amazing. I have attached a few photos of animal encounters from September's 2008 group.
The camp site is minimalistic however it has everything you need for a stay in the bush including flushing toilets. We cook over an open campfire and volunteers have the opportunity to learn and participate in this activity.
We offer optional recreational activities to both the nearby Drakensburg Mountains to get a sense of the area and also to Kruger Park itself. We have two days off throughout the program.
Program dates are Sunday 16th August - Saturday 29th August, program fee of $2000 covers the costs of meals, accommodation and project related transport from Hoedspruit.
Have a look on the website at www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/volunteer/southafrica for more details on the program and the opportunity to book, places are limited.
If you would like to talk with me about it, do not hesitate to .
Regards, Evan
Posted 28 April 2009; discuss this in the forum
Volunteering with Parks Victoria
Would you like to help Victorian Rangers recover after the fires? Parks Forum is helping co-ordinate interested people. The following is the letter distributed by their CEO David Clarke:
Parks Forum is in the process of building a framework for a variety of ways in which staff within parks organisations can engage with each other and exchange knowledge and skills.
Just one of these is volunteering.
One of our New Zealand members recently advised that they has staff who have outstanding annual leave, who had expressed interest in volunteering with Parks Victoria in their recovery program after the fires.
After some further discussion, I am calling for any additional expressions of interest from parks personnel in Australia and New Zealand to undertake volunteering while on leave, to test the range of interest in this concept.
Please note that in expressing interest, this particular EOI is for volunteering and not secondment. Payment for work is not proposed - the opportunity to volunteer to work with another parks agency is one which brings new contacts, some experience of how other agencies operate, the possibility of some professional; development, and in some cases such as the current situation with PV, an opportunity to contribute in the recovery from a significant crisis.
Please find attached an expression of interest. While this expression of interest is general and you are invited to express interest in volunteering with any of our members, we are hoping in the short term to capture any specific requests to support Parks Victoria in their current recovery work.
In the case of Parks Victoria volunteering, it is important to note that conditions such as availability of transport and accommodation during the volunteering work may vary significantly depending on the work available. Parks Victoria has received a large number of offers of support from the general public and is managing those offers as well.
Depending on a number of factors, it is important to understand that your offer of support may or may not be able to be accepted.
Please provide expressions of interest direct to Parks Forum as they become available.
Regards
David Clarke
CEO
Parks Forum
Don't forget to if you volunteer through this initiative.
Posted 10 April 2009; discuss this in the forum
Fire management review
QPW is asking for staff input into our fire management.
Interested staff can make a contribution by visiting this topic on our forum and have their say on the issue. You will need to be a QRA member and register with the forum to comment.
Any problems accessing the forum should be directed to our .
Posted 01 April 2009; discuss this in the forum
QRA supports Earth Hour
The QRA has registered as a supporter of Earth Hour. This is a symbolic event designed to engage people in climate change discussion and send a strong message about the need to take meaningful action on climate change.
Earth Hour starts at 8:30 PM on Saturday March 28 and members are asked to turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour starting at this time. Don't forget to tell your friends and families about this great initiative and take action to reduce environmental impact in everyday life.
While your lights are out, why not try some of these activities:
- Listen out for, and try to identify the animals in your neighbourhood;
- Go spotlighting in your local area with red cellophane on your torch to protect animal's eyes;
- Invite friends around for star gazing;
- Or just go camping and leave your lights off for the whole night.
Earth Hour is a WWF initiative where individuals, businesses and governments turn off their lights for one hour to show their support for action on climate change. For more information visit earthhour.org.
Posted 26 March 2009; discuss this in the forum
New sponsors!
The QRA welcomes our new sponsors for 2009.
Our platinum sponsor for this year is Structures from Latitude 27. Gold sponsorship has been provided by All Park Products. The 2009 Silver sponsors are Gough Plastics and Heli Charters Australia. Pac Fire and Quick Corp are our Bronze sponsors.
Sponsorship of the QRA runs from annual conference to annual conference and the QRA would like to thank all our outgoing sponsors for their support of our association.
Posted 16 March 2009; discuss this in the forum
2009 QRA conference
The 2009 QRA annual conference is being held at Byfield between March 16 and 19. The event is a great opportunity for networking and catching up with other Rangers and also an invaluable chance to mingle with sponsors and contractors.
We have three days of organised Rangering with a field day preceding two days of guest speakers and presentations from senior management. All Rangers, current members and associate members are invited.
Check out our conference page for more information.
Posted 26 February 2009; discuss this in the forum
QRA letter to Premier
After a QRA executive decision and some legal advice, QRA Chairperson Neil Parker has written to the Premier and Treasurer regarding the removal of the 'Service' from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Click here to see the letter.
Although this matter is twelve months old, there has been recent developments in relation to the legality of the process and it has been decided the QRA would again try to get this decision overturned.
Posted 09 February 2009; discuss this in the forum
IRF conference winner
The winner of the QRA sponsored trip to the 2009 International Ranger Federation conference is Andy Dutton. Andy will represent the QRA and EPA at this years conference in Bolivia.
QRA Chairperson Neil Parker said "It was not an easy task for the committee to decide between applicants. All applications were outstanding which indicates the professionalism of our Queensland Rangers."
A merit list of all applicants has been created and the QRA will be working hard to secure more funding to help those on the merit list attend the conference.
Neil would also like to thank all applicants for putting in such a great effort on your applications. "It was very heartening to see so many applicants with such desire to attend the conference."
This years International Ranger Federation conference will be held in November at Centro de Convenciones in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. For more information visit the conference website: www.guardaparque.org
Posted 06 February 2009; discuss this in the forum
Senior Rangers out?
It has come to the QRA's attention there are moves in the Agency to sideline all Senior Ranger positions.
The idea behind this is there are too many layers in the QPWS structure and removal of the Senior Ranger level would facilitate a more streamlined management approach.
This move has outraged Rangers across the State and prompted many emails to the union regarding this issue. The majority of comments have been about workloads that would be passed onto Rangers in Charge and the loss of career paths. A reliable source from one region has told us Senior Rangers have already been advised "they would be moved to project work by the end of this financial year".
A number of regions have stopped filling Senior Ranger roles and have started to amalgamate responsibility under the one Senior Ranger. This is problematic as workloads double over night and most Senior Rangers would not say no to their mangers. One region has gone from six Senior Rangers to three in the past six months. Those left standing are being asked to fill the gaps.
The restructure and new regions were supposed to reduce workloads and streamline efficiencies but the loss of this important role in the Agency will increase workloads both upwards and downwards from the position. The new structure has not been given a chance to work before removing the Senior Ranger role in the division. We need to bed down the current structure then look for solutions together on streamlining systems and reporting relationships.
This is an issue that was discussed and worked towards without discussion with the staff affected.
However the Director Terrestrial has recently advised the QRA this idea is still in its early stages and further discussions are needed prior to implementation. The QRA has also been advised the Unions have only just been contacted and are now meeting with the Agency to discuss the issue in depth.
Specialisation is starting to affect our ability to react to issues as people say this is not my role. If everyone specialises as project officers with specific duties we will move away from what Rangering is all about. Specialisation will limit career paths and reduce job satisfaction.
The QRA will keep a very close eye on the current situation and inform members when more information comes to hand.
Posted 05 February 2009; discuss this in the forum
QPWS name change
The Honourable Andrew McNamara MP, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation has responded to our letter of June 13 regarding the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service identity.
In short the Queensland Government is committed to protecting the Queensland environment, including its protected areas, flora and fauna as well as air and water quality.
In the past these functions were spread across different areas of the EPA. The EPA has now integrated the parks and wildlife functions into a 'Queensland Parks and Wildlife' division.
The priority for this division is to conserve and manage the EPA estate; to build resilience in natural systems; and provide safe, substantial and sustainable benefits to the Queensland community.
To maintain public recognition and respect, the 'Herbie' emblem will continue to be used on EPA Ranger uniforms, displays and publications.
Posted 11 August 2008