Future Rangers in the making

Issued
2 April 2025
Region

Alongside representatives from local Land Trusts, our Rangers recently hosted a day of fun and learning with students at Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy, Coen Campus.

Building on the students’ ecology lessons at school, Rangers led games and activities based on importance of wildlife conservation and the role protected areas play.

Three students proudly holding wildlife activity props and smiling at the cameraOpen larger image

Students Jaysen with crocodile skull, Emily showing picture of pig damage to wetlands at the ‘habitats matter’ activity and Ione with his quoll puppet

'For students, a definite highlight was meeting local Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Land Trust Rangers, learning firsthand from those dedicated to protecting the environment and enjoying captivating stories about the significance of protecting wildlife,' Principal Adam Hooper said.

Coen is nestled amongst extensive bushland and close to remote tropical rainforests of McIllwraith Range, however sadly some species such as  golden-shouldered parrots and buff-breasted button quails have disappeared from the area and some are under threat (northern quolls).

Students holding activity props and a student with a Ranger during a 'spot the rubbish' activityOpen larger image

Students Jaysen and Augustine with their quoll and glider toys and Tahlani during a 'spot the rubbish' activity with Ranger Grant

These students are tomorrow’s land managers, with family connections to the Wik Mungkan, Southern Kaantju, Ayapathu, Umpila and Lama Lama clans, whose lands have portions under national park protection around Coen, and whose elders are directors of the Land Trusts who manage the Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL) national parks with QPWS.

Two students sitting with a Ranger and two students participating in their animal movement activity with toy animalsOpen larger image

Ranger Josie with students Isla and Sienna learning about food chains and students Emily, Jaysen and Ione playing with their quoll toys during the ‘animal movement’ dance activity

Ranger Josie was instrumental in organising the day and was pleased it was such a huge success.

'We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the students engage with everything we'd prepared, which included creating food chains to highlight the importance of every species in an ecosystem and imitating movements of animals to understand how they navigate through their environments and the impacts roads or feral animals might have,’ Ranger Josie said.

‘The students also took part in activities to understand the impact of discarded rubbish and how important it is to put our waste in the bin.

'It was very rewarding to help the students understand the roles various species play in the ecosystem and support them in becoming advocates for wildlife in their own communities.'

Students and a Ranger smile at the camera with wildlife activities scattered around the ground around themOpen larger image

Students Jaysen and Ione with Ranger Josie learning all about food chains

At the end of the day each student received a 'Wildlife Warrior' certificate, celebrating their commitment to conservation.

All smiles for protecting wildlife and for this World Wildlife Day celebration.

Related parks

  • Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL)

    Formerly known as Mungkan Kandju National Park, this large park stretches from the McIlwraith Range foothills, between the Archer and Coen rivers, and features open eucalypt woodlands, melaleuca swamps and…

  • Cape York Peninsula parks

    Cape York Peninsula features landscapes of unsurpassed beauty and immense diversity, rich with Aboriginal traditions and customs and European history. Parks throughout the peninsula protect diverse landscapes including river systems…

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