Brisbane celebrates World Ranger Day

Queensland National Parks Minister Steve Dickson has invited South East Queensland residents and visitors to show their support during this year's World Ranger Day celebrations.

Minister Dickson said World Ranger Day, which is recognised internationally today (31st July), celebrates the diverse roles of our rangers in both marine and terrestrial national parks.

Minister Dickson explaine "to mark World Ranger Day today, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) - is hosting a display in King George Square, giving people the chance to come and say hello to some of our rangers and find out more about the vital job they do.

"Our QPWS rangers are involved in a huge array of activities including controlling weeds and feral animals, assisting with whale strandings and relocating crocodiles.

"Rangers monitor endangered species such as the northern hairy-nosed wombat, protect cultural heritage, build infrastructure like lookouts, bridges and picnic areas and fight wildfires .

"In the summer months rangers are busy containing fires within park boundaries to protect lives and property and in cooler months they reduce fuel loads with planned burns.

"Rangers will be in the square from 11am until 2pm, so look for the fire unit and marine parks boat and drop by to show support for this important cause."

The QPWS is also putting on celebratory activities in the D'Aguilar National Park on Sunday 5th August, with the Minister adding that these activities will take place at Bellbird Grove, a ten-minute drive up Mt Nebo Road from The Gap in Brisbane.

World Ranger Day was first celebrated in 2007, to mark the founding of the International Ranger Federation (IRF) 15 years earlier and to support the work of rangers as key protectors of parks and conservation.

For more information go to www.int-ranger.net/index.html