Media Release | 12 November 2025

$2 million boost for Indigenous rangers' fight against invasive species

Indigenous rangers across northern Australia will receive a $2 million funding boost to support their efforts in managing invasive species and protecting Country.

The Australian Government has announced that the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) had been successful in securing a $2 million extension of funding for its Protecting Country Against Invasive Species Program (PCAIS).

Invasive species, such as weeds and feral animals, can be hugely destructive to Country, damaging ecosystems and important cultural places, and putting native species under threat. For example in some parts of western Cape York, in far north Queensland, feral pigs have been known to dig up and eat 100 per cent of turtle nest eggs.

NAILSMA, through its PCAIS program, works with more than 40 Indigenous ranger groups across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland to tackle the issue, building the capacity of ranger groups through training and development opportunities, purchasing of equipment and bringing rangers together to share knowledge and experiences.

The extension of funding will deliver on the ground monitoring and management, and further develop opportunities for rangers to take on specialist invasive species roles within their teams.

NAILSMA CEO Barry Hunter said Indigenous rangers have the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the invasive species problem across huge and remote areas of Country.

“For years, Indigenous communities have witnessed the damage caused by invasive species to plants, animals, and important cultural places,” Barry said.

“This funding recognises Indigenous rangers’ deep knowledge and leadership in protecting Country. With continued investment and collaboration, Indigenous rangers can lead the response to this devastating problem and achieve major on the ground outcomes.”

Mimal Land Management Deputy CEO Kelly Retief said the PCAIS program had supported a significant increase in the rangers’ ability to prioritise and incorporate invasive species management into work plans on Country.

“We now have rangers in roles that focus specifically on leading invasive species control,” Kelly said.

“The program has also enabled greater collaboration across the Arnhem Land region, fostering a landscape-scale approach to invasive species, leading to improved regional outcomes.”

For more information about the Australian Government's recently announced Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program visit www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecu...

To find out more about NAILSMA’s PCAIS program visit https://nailsma.org.au/project...