Led by the cultural strengths and knowledge of Aboriginal communities, this project co-designs expanded Ranger and Caring for Country programs to strengthen health, connection, and climate resilience.

Aboriginal Ranger and complementary Caring for Country programs deliver positive social, economic, cultural, and environmental outcomes. Aboriginal Elders and community members have put forward the expansion of these Ranger and Complementary Programs as an opportunity to co-design culturally appropriate and holistic solutions to the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change. This project will work with Aboriginal communities to co-design and obtain funding to implement trials of expanded Ranger Programs to increase program accessibility and community participation in caring for Country activities and improve health for all in the face of climate change. The project commenced on the 1^st of July 2025, and we have been busy strengthening relationships, finalising the initial co-design and planning, and applying for ethics approvals. We will soon begin place-based yarns with Elders and Community members to co-design expanded Ranger and/or Complementary Programs.

Project Associates

• Dr Noel Nannup (Noongar) - Noongar Country Lead
• Professor Anne Poelina (Nyikina Warrwa) - Martuwarra Country Lead
• Associate Professor Linda Ford (Mak Mak Marranunggu) - Daly and Finnis River Country Lead
• Associate Professor Veronica Matthews (Quandamooka)
• Mr Oliver Costello (Bundjalung) - Bundalung Country Lead
• Dr Theoni Whyman (Paakantji/ Barkindji)
• Dr Sangeetha Chandrashekeran - Tati Tati Country Co-Lead
• Associate Professor Caitlin Wyrwoll
• Mr Brendan Kennedy (Tati Tati Wadi Wadi) - Tati Tati Country Co-Lead
• Dr Emma-Leigh Synnott
• Professor Roz Walker
• Associate Professor Alexander Larcombe
• Associate Professor Francis Mitrou
• Dr Melinda Judge
• Ms Kris Vine
• Ms Jaime Yallup Farrant
• Associate Professor Helen Leonard
• Associate Professor Hayley Christian (nee Cutt)

Associated projects and resources:

• Guung Butherun (Water Stories) Report from 2024 (attached) – This report by the Jagun Alliance, tells the story of the Guung Butherun (water stories) project, which provided Cultural assessments of waterway recovery within the Richmond River Catchment. This project flowed on from a submission to the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry, Buubaan Butheran (flood stories), highlighting the cultural connections of Bundjalung people across the whole landscape through Lore, language, and kinship - and the importance of cultural values and practices to inform water quality monitoring and flood recovery activities.  For more information, please contact info@jagunalliance.org.au

• Wakuthuni Heat Wave Project – This project cantered on partnerships for protection from the impacts of extreme heat events on Wakuthuni Community. The project aims to reduce existing risk from heatwaves, minimise future risk from heat, and strengthen community-based decision making capabilities and information. You can read more about the project, and watch the Beat the Heat video on the project website Wakuthuni Heat Project.