Rio Tinto commits A$8 million for conservation and Indigenous ranger programs in WA National Parks

The global mining giant Rio Tinto will invest A$8 million over five years in collaboration with Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to launch a new project aimed at enhancing conservation land management and supporting Traditional Owner ranger programs in Karijini and Millstream Chichester National Parks.

The Pilbara Conservation Project aims to protect areas of high conservation value while incorporating the Traditional Owners' knowledge into land management practices. This project will address weed management, feral animal control, and bushfire management at Karijini, Millstream Chichester, and other significant conservation sites in the Pilbara by implementing the Pilbara Conservation Strategy.

Moreover, the project is a beacon of hope, providing much-needed support for ranger training and creating fee-for-service opportunities for Aboriginal Ranger Groups. This empowers them and paves the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.

Since 2015, Rio Tinto, DBCA, and Traditional Owners have collaborated to safeguard the Karijini and Millstream Chichester National Parks. This new initiative expands on Rio Tinto's various partnerships with Traditional Owners to bolster Aboriginal Ranger Programs in the Pilbara. These efforts include the Pilbara Ranger Network and collaborations with Aboriginal Corporations to deliver diverse ranger programs.

Cecile Thaxter, the Vice President of Health, Safety, Environment, and communities at Rio Tinto, said, "This project will enable DBCA and Traditional Owners to continue caring for the Country and, importantly, put Traditional Owner knowledge at the heart of conservation management for this environmentally, culturally, and economically significant region."

"Maintaining Pilbara biodiversity is critical not only for our business today but also for future generations within the region, and we recognise our responsibility to understand and effectively mitigate our impacts on nature through collaborative partnerships."

"Partnerships like the Pilbara Conservation Project are crucial to delivering nature-positive outcomes, with collaboration, resource sharing, innovation, local engagement and collective effort needed to address the complex environmental conservation and restoration challenges."

Western Australian Environment Minister Reece Whitby MLA said, "Conservation is a shared responsibility, and this new partnership demonstrates how Government, industry and Traditional Owners can work together to manage biodiversity values through practical on-ground actions."

"The Pilbara is a special place – its habitat is home to some species of animals and plants you can't find anywhere else in the world."

"Karijini National Park is the Pilbara's key tourist attraction, with over 300,000 visitors annually. This project will do wonders for its Conservation into the future."