Indigenous Women Rangers Network

04/06/2026

08/05/2026

Happy Birthday Sir David Attenborough, from all of us at IWRN.

Your lifelong dedication to sharing the stories of Country, wildlife, and the interconnectedness of our natural world has inspired people across generations and cultures. As Indigenous women caring for Land and Sea Country, we deeply value the respect and attention you have brought to the importance of protecting nature for future generations.

We honour the knowledge held within Indigenous communities and stand alongside all those working to care for Country, culture, and climate. Thank you for using your voice to help the world listen.

Wishing you a wonderful birthday and continued strength in your journey. 🌿🌏

14/04/2026

🌿Love working on Country?

🥾 OO3 Ranger Intake is open from 27 April to 1 May 2026 — apply for roles with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships (QPWS&P) and build a career taking care of Country

What's offered:
🪸 Diverse & impactful roles in locations across the state
🌱 Varied responsibilities and opportunities for career progression

Apply today:
📱 Scan the QR code, OR
💻 Visit https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au & search OO3 Ranger Intake, OR
🏠 Drop your resume at your local QPWS&P office, OR
📧 Email your resume to: [email protected]

📅 Intakes open four times a year for 5 days only

14/04/2026

⭐️ Voting is OPEN for indigenous.gov.au's Photography and Video Competition People's Choice Award! ⭐️

❤️💛🖤 Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Area managers from across Australia have shared stunning shots and videos showing the power of their work on Country 💙🤍💚

🔥 Let's support Indigenous rangers' entries and vote today: https://www.indigenous.gov.au/2025-healthy-country-healthy-waters-healthy-communities-peoples-choice-award

It’s time!

People’s Choice voting is OPEN!

Healthy Country, Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities Photo & Video Competition

Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Area managers from across Australia have shared stunning shots and videos showing the power of their work on Country.

The judges had a tough time … now it’s YOUR turn to choose!

Let’s celebrate the deadly work of Indigenous rangers who protect and heal Country every day.

Vote now: https://www.indigenous.gov.au/2025-healthy-country-healthy-waters-healthy-communities-peoples-choice-award

19/03/2026

🌏 SAVE THE DATE: IUCN World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress 2027 🌎

🗓️ 4-10 September 2027

🇵🇦 Panama City, Panama

Themes being developed include:

🪸 Global change and biodiversity – opportunities and threats for protected and conserved areas to address global challenges;

🌊 Scaling Effective Conservation – securing gains, recognising key opportunities for focus and investment, and determining how and where to scale;

🌍 Conservation and People – recognizing and defending rights, responsibilities, and relationships in a changing world.

https://iucncongress2025.org/newsroom/all-news/panama-host-next-world-protected-and-conserved-areas-congress-2027



IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas Ministerio de Ambiente de Panamá

📢 Save the date! The IUCN World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress 2027 begins on 4 September next year in Panama City.

The Congress is the premier global forum for setting the agenda for protected and conserved areas.

It brings together leaders and experts from governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, academia, and the private sector to develop and advance solutions for conservation involving effective area-based .

IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas Ministerio de Ambiente de Panamá

16/03/2026

🌎 2 x Global Women Ranger Roundtables – 24 & 25 March 2026 💫

🌿 International Ranger Federation (IRF) is hosting a global Women Ranger Leadership Roundtable!

🔥 Theme: From Presence to Visibility: What does Woman Ranger Leadership look like?

🌏 To accommodation global time zones, 2 roundtables are being hosted:

🗓️ SESSION 1: Tuesday 24 March - 11:00pm to 12:00am AEST https://us06web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN__NL2m-ApQCupElQIMNbu1Q

🗓️ SESSION 2: Wednesday 25 March – 7:00am to 8:00am AEST https://us06web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_Ykj69EUARwGQk9iB2fTkew

In celebration of International Women's Day and building momentum toward World Female Ranger Week, the International Ranger Federation will host a global Women Ranger Leadership Roundtable exploring a critical question for the future of conservation: what does true visibility and leadership for women rangers look like?

While progress has been made, women remain underrepresented across the global ranger workforce - particularly in leadership and decision-making roles. Yet across the world, women rangers are already demonstrating powerful leadership through community engagement, operational expertise, cultural knowledge, and resilience in some of the most challenging conservation environments.

This interactive 90-minute roundtable will bring together women rangers, conservation leaders, and allies from around the world to share lived leadership experiences, explore the conditions that enable women to move from presence to influence, and identify practical actions to strengthen leadership pathways within the ranger profession.

Through spotlight voices, cross-sector insights, and participant discussions, the session aims to amplify women ranger voices, highlight diverse leadership models, and inspire tangible steps toward a more inclusive, representative, and resilient global ranger workforce.

Together, we will explore how elevating women’s leadership strengthens conservation outcomes and helps shape the future of protected and conserved areas worldwide.

To accommodate the global time zones 2 round tables will be hosted:

SESSION 1: UTC 13:00-14:30 - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__NL2m-ApQCupElQIMNbu1Q

SESSION 2: UTC 21:00-22:30 - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ykj69EUARwGQk9iB2fTkew

06/03/2026

✨ Congratulations from the Indigenous Women Rangers Network (IWRN) ✨

On behalf of the Indigenous Women Rangers Network (IWRN), we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and finalists recognised at the Queensland Indigenous Women Rangers Network (QIWRN) Awards.

These awards celebrate the strength, leadership and dedication of Indigenous women caring for Country across Queensland. Each of you represents the powerful role women play in protecting our lands, waters, culture and communities.

A special congratulations to all award recipients, including Young Ranger of the Year – Shantaisha Congoo, and all finalists who continue to inspire the next generation of women rangers. Your passion, resilience and commitment to Country are truly inspiring.

We also acknowledge Laurissa Mundraby, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, for her outstanding leadership and long-standing contribution to supporting women rangers and caring for Country.

To every woman recognised — your stories, knowledge and strength are what make our networks powerful. Across Australia, Indigenous women rangers continue to lead with courage, culture and care for Country.

From all of us at IWRN, we are proud to stand alongside you. Congratulations and keep up the incredible work. 💜🌿

✨ Celebrating Our QIWRN Award Winners & Finalists ✨

At the QIWRN Forum, we had the privilege of celebrating the incredible achievements of Indigenous women rangers and young leaders caring for Country across Queensland. These awards recognise leadership, dedication and the powerful impact women rangers have in their communities and on Country. 🌿

🏆 Ranger Coordinator of the Year
Winner: Chantel Van Wamelen
Finalists: Jocelyn De Jersey and Marietta Matasia

🏆 Ranger of the Year
Winner: Angelina Williams
Finalist: Alexandra Lacey

🏆 Senior Ranger of the Year
Winner: Roeina Edmund
Finalists: Brenda (Michell) Kapteyn and Alison Liddy

🌟 Young Ranger of the Year
Winner: Shantaisha Congoo
Finalist: Presaiah Ross

🏅 Lifetime Achievement Award
Laurissa Mundraby – in recognition of her outstanding contribution, leadership and dedication to caring for Country and supporting women rangers over many years.

We also want to acknowledge Sue Marsh, Laura Rangers Coordinator, who is retiring this year. Sue has been a strong supporter of rangers and communities, and we thank her for her years of commitment and service.

A huge thank you to the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation for their ongoing support of the Queensland Indigenous Women Rangers Network, and to Indigenous Business Australia for sponsoring this year’s event.

We were also honoured to have Hon. Fiona Simpson MP, Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Minister for Multiculturalism, join us and share words of encouragement and support for our incredible women rangers.

Congratulations to all our winners and finalists. Your leadership, strength and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of women caring for Country. 💜

06/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1UDv7uzLMW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

✨ Celebrating Our QIWRN Award Winners & Finalists ✨

At the QIWRN Forum, we had the privilege of celebrating the incredible achievements of Indigenous women rangers and young leaders caring for Country across Queensland. These awards recognise leadership, dedication and the powerful impact women rangers have in their communities and on Country. 🌿

🏆 Ranger Coordinator of the Year
Winner: Chantel Van Wamelen
Finalists: Jocelyn De Jersey and Marietta Matasia

🏆 Ranger of the Year
Winner: Angelina Williams
Finalist: Alexandra Lacey

🏆 Senior Ranger of the Year
Winner: Roeina Edmund
Finalists: Brenda (Michell) Kapteyn and Alison Liddy

🌟 Young Ranger of the Year
Winner: Shantaisha Congoo
Finalist: Presaiah Ross

🏅 Lifetime Achievement Award
Laurissa Mundraby – in recognition of her outstanding contribution, leadership and dedication to caring for Country and supporting women rangers over many years.

We also want to acknowledge Sue Marsh, Laura Rangers Coordinator, who is retiring this year. Sue has been a strong supporter of rangers and communities, and we thank her for her years of commitment and service.

A huge thank you to the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation for their ongoing support of the Queensland Indigenous Women Rangers Network, and to Indigenous Business Australia for sponsoring this year’s event.

We were also honoured to have Hon. Fiona Simpson MP, Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Minister for Multiculturalism, join us and share words of encouragement and support for our incredible women rangers.

Congratulations to all our winners and finalists. Your leadership, strength and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of women caring for Country. 💜

15/02/2026

⏰ Friendly Reminder!

Registrations for the 2026 QIWRN Forum close today at 5:00 PM!

A big thank you to everyone who has already secured their spot — we have limited spaces remaining, so don’t miss out!

🔗 Register now: https://iwrn.eventsair.com/qiwrn2026/register
📧 Questions? Our friendly team is here: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!

— QIWRN Team ✨