Post on 22-Mar-2020
The Queensland Ranger Association’s
Oceania Strategy 2018– 2019
The Queensland Ranger Association (QRA) Oceania
strategy has been established to encourage Queens-
land rangers to assist other Oceania ranger associa-
tions and help each other work towards fulfilling their
individual association’s mission statements
effectively.
Ultimately this will ensure future development and
protection for Oceania rangers and the natural places
they protect or manage.
Mission
QUEENSLAND RANGER ASSOCIATION’S (QRA) MISSION STATEMENT
The QRA is a professional body that represents the staff who manage Queens-
land’s protected areas. With the motto ‘rangers helping rangers’ the QRA moni-
tors, protects and enhances the working conditions of Queensland rangers, as
well as help rangers (nationally and internationally) develop their skills, wis-
dom and resilience needed to thrive in their chosen careers.
The QRA/Oceania strategy provides a valuable net-
work that enables rangers to stay in touch, share
their experiences, develop stronger working relation-
ships and support each other in managing challenges
faced daily in this profession.
The QRA commits itself to rangers helping rangers,
and for over 20 years , QRA members have worked
together strongly to ensure Queensland rangers can
operate effectively and efficiently protecting, con-
serving and, where possible, restore our protected
area’s biodiversity and the continued existence of its
wilderness for the benefit of present and future gen-
erations.
For the last 20 years, Queensland rangers have also
connected with other international rangers, sharing
their experiences and knowledge, and even providing
training or ranger exchange initiatives. It has been the
last 5 years that the QRA has concentrated on
strengthening partnerships with other Australian and
Oceania associations, especially those less fortunate.
Oceania countries such as Fiji, Solomon Islands, New
Zealand, Papau New Guinea and New Caladonia have
recognised that natural resource challenges are simp-
ly too great for any one organisation to face alone
and have either reached out to Australian rangers for
their assistance, expertise and learnings, to achieve
their objectives.
Vision Statement
Together Oceania rangers will benefit from developing strategic plans to share, network
and exchange their skills, knowledge and expertise. Through ranger exchange programs,
organised training and awareness programs both parties members will strengthen their
professional and personal skills enabling them to carry out their varied roles as conserva-
tion managers in their constantly-changing work environments more effectively.
FIJIAN ISLANDS RANGER ASSOCIATION (FIRA)
While on a family holiday during June/July school hol-
idays 2012, the QRA connected with Fijian rangers,
and with funding raised beforehand, presented them
with equipment and uniform donations.
Three years later, the QRA assisted the Fijian Rangers
through the formal process of establishing the Fijian
Island Ranger Association (FIRA). They were officially
inducted into the International Ranger Federation
during the 2017 World Rangers Congress in Colorado.
SOLOMON ISLAND RANGER ASSOCIATION (SIRA)
With only one Marine Park declared in 2017, and no
official government agency or department dedicated
to protecting the environment, SIRA was developed
in 2014, with assistance from the QRA, to bring com-
munity, NGO and other rangers together into one
unified ranger association.
Since then, the QRA has endeavoured to deliver on
their commitment to partner with SIRA and share
their knowledge and skills with Solomon Island rang-
ers through ranger exchange and training initiatives.
During 2017, saw the QRA further connect with SIRA
members and show their commitment to this rela-
tionship by officially signing an International Ranger
Federation (IRF) twinning agreement—a first for the
Oceania region.
Today’s Situation
The QRA have assisted Oceania rangers since 2012 when they connected with Fiji and, in
2014, the Solomon Island rangers. The QRA have supplied uniforms and equipment needed,
along with guidance through the formal process of developing their ranger associations
and joining the International Ranger Federation family.
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia have also reached out in more recent
years seeking assistance or initiating ranger exchange opportunities.
Goal and Strategies
The overall goal of the QRA/Oceania strategy is to provide an avenue for QRA
and Oceania members to connect, share their experiences, develop stronger
working relationships and support each other in managing challenges faced
daily in this profession.
Through this interaction, all QRA members should be proud of their support
helping developing nations and will be given opportunities to participate and
potentially further develop themselves personally and professionally.
GOAL 1
To build strong mutually beneficial relationships be-
tween QRA and Oceania rangers.
GOAL 2
To assist rangers from other Oceania countries, espe-
cially those less developed, to improve the environ-
mental, financial and environment management ca-
pacity within their countries and their communities.
GOAL 3
To provide personal and professional development
opportunities for QRA rangers.
GOAL 4
Ensure QRA members understand and be proud of
their support for developing nations.
Strategic Directions
GOAL STRATEGY ACTION
To build strong mutually
beneficial relationships
between QRA and Oce-
ania rangers.
Facilitate interactions and
provide initiatives where
QRA and Oceania rangers
will benefit mutually.
Showcase the success of
the QRA/SIRA twinning
agreement and network
with international ranger
associations broadening
knowledge and skillset to
become influential con-
servation leaders.
ACTION 1
Develop and encourage mentoring opportunities,
and professional and personal development through
ranger exchanges or project management between
QRA and Oceania rangers.
1.1. QRA members apply through the QRA Ranger
Development Fund for financial or other support de-
veloping exchange programs or projects with other
Oceania rangers.
1.2. QRA executive obtain permission for successful
QRA members to be granted Special Leave for the
duration of such initiatives.
ACTION 2
Co-write and co-present with SIRA members on the
success of the QRA/SIRA twinning agreement to oth-
er International ranger associations , ie: World Rang-
ers Congress 2019.
2.1. Seek funding for representatives from QRA and
SIRA to attend WRC 2019.
2.2. QRA executive obtain permission for successful
QRA members to be granted Special Leave for the
duration of such initiatives.
2.3. Conduct EOI process to select suitable QRA rang-
ers.
2.4. Organise logistics.
Strategic Directions
GOAL STRATEGY ACTION
To assist rangers from
other Oceania countries,
especially those less de-
veloped, to improve the
environmental, financial
and environment man-
agement capacity within
their countries and their
communities.
Provide training, educa-
tion and equipment to
rangers of undeveloped
countries.
ACTION 1
Encourage QRA members to develop, or be involved
with initiatives between QRA and Oceania rangers,
improving the skillset of each.
1.1. QRA members need to develop Project Brief’s for
any proposed initiative and seek support from the
QRA executive.
1.2. If financial or other support is required for any
proposed initiative, then QRA members are to submit
an Expression of Interest and funding application
through the Ranger Development Funding Scheme.
ACTION 2
As part of QRA’s commitment to the QRA/SIRA twin-
ning arrangement, develop a ‘Travelling Ranger
Training’ initiative between QRA and SIRA rangers to
improve environment, legislative and financial man-
agement capacity in SIRA rangers.
2.1. Develop Project Brief detailing, itinerary and
budget for proposed Travelling Ranger Training initia-
tive, and obtain support from the QRA executive to
progress forward.
2.2. Submit funding application through The Thin
Green Line Foundation for partial financial support.
2.3. Explore Crowdfunding options for financial sup-
port.
Strategic Directions
GOAL STRATEGY ACTION
Promote professionalism
pride, safety and integrity
by wearing a ranger un-
form and using appropri-
ate equipment.
2.3. Initiate a meeting between QPWS and QRA exec-
utive’s to communicate the strategic directions and
support required of the QRA/Oceania strategy and
the QRA/SIRA twinning arrangement.
2.4. Conduct EOI process to select suitable QRA rang-
ers.
2.5. Organise logistics.
2.6. Conduct Travelling Ranger Training initiative in
August/September 2018.
ACTION 3
Obtain uniforms and equipment needed to enable
rangers from developing countries to undertake their
job efficiently and safely.
3.1. Seek QPWS executive permission to send old,
unused QPWS uniforms and equipment to other Oce-
ania countries needing uniforms, including the Solo-
mon Islands.
Strategic Directions
GOAL STRATEGY ACTION
To provide personal and
professional develop-
ment opportunities for
QRA rangers.
Facilitate personal and
professional develop-
ment opportunities for
QRA rangers to either
initiate or be involved.
ACTION 1
Invite QRA members to develop, or be involved with,
personal and professional development opportuni-
ties available through the QRA Oceania strategy.
1.1. QRA members need to develop Project Brief’s for
any proposed initiative and seek support from the
QRA executive.
1.2. If financial or other support is required for any
proposed initiative, then QRA members are to submit
an Expression of Interest and funding application
through the Ranger Development Funding Scheme.
Strategic Directions
GOAL STRATEGY ACTION
Ensure QRA members
understand and be proud
of their support for de-
veloping nations.
Communicate with all
QRA members and other
ranger associations of
QRA’s support helping
developing nations.
ACTION 1
Raise awareness of achievements to other members,
via presentations, sharing on social media or in re-
ports, publications and articles.
ACTION 2
Present QRA achievements at National and Interna-
tional meetings.
2.1. Develop a Project Brief for QRA’s attendance at
CARA 2018 and WRC 2019 with costings.
2.2. Apply to QRA executive for funding and leave
approvals.
2.3. Advertise an Expression of Interest (CARA 2018—
July, WRC 2019—September ) to all QRA members
for interested delegates . Select appropriate candi-
dates and determine appropriate sponsorship.
2.4. QRA members attend CARA 2018 in Tasmania in
September and present on the QRA/Oceania strategy
and the QRA/SIRA twinning agreement.
2.5. QRA members attend WRC 2019 in May(?) in
Nepal and co-present with SIRA representatives on
the success of the QRA/SIRA twinning agreement.