Yugul Mangi Land and Sea Management
Yugul Mangi rangers are core to land and sea management activities throughout 6,700km2 of the Roper-Gulf region. Yugul Mangi Rangers came together in the late 1990’s working on feral pig, weed and dust suppression projects. Today the rangers undertake a broad range of land and sea management activities and in doing so work with many government and scientific agencies.
Yugul Mangi Rangers have a long history of environmental weed control. With support from the Northern Territory Weeds Management Branch they have developed surveillance and response plans for several Weeds of National Significance (WONS) including mimosa, parkinsonia, rubber vine and pond apple. They also have extensive experience in prescribed burning having participated since 2009 in regional greenhouse gas abatement projects. In partnership with the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) Yugul Mangi Rangers also assist in cultural heritage protection. They recently took part in the survey, documentation and subsequent management of sacred sites in the Roper and Wilton catchments and on near-coastal islands.
As Land and Sea rangers, Yugul Mangi are active on the waters of the Roper River and adjacent IPA coast, north to Wuyagiba. In this capacity they contribute to research into recreational and commercial fisheries, including a long-term telemetric study of fish population behaviour in the Roper River. In addition they provide oversight of recreational and commercial fishing in their area under contract to Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries NT.
Yugul Mangi Rangers have an enduring and productive partnership with researchers from the Macquarie University. This multi-faceted ethno-ecology program has over the past five years supported them to undertake flora and fauna surveys, monitor wetland health, complete fire- plot monitoring, produce a wealth of ethno-ecology material and regularly participate in scientific conferences and symposia.
The Yugul Mangi Rangers are also responsible for jointly managing the South East Arnhem Land IPA with the Numbulwar Numburindi Rangers.