What is your current Role and Location?
I am currently an OPS3 Ranger at Mount Remarkable National Park in the Southern Flinders, however my substantive position is at Robe in the Limestone Coast.
How did you first become involved in protected area management and what attracted you to this career?
I began my career in Parks in 2018 at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory. Firstly as a Visitor Services Officer working at the Cultural Centre Information Desk. I then progressed to a Project Officer working in the Joint Management department between Traditional Owners and the Federal Government for 3 years. When I moved back to South Australia in 2022 I worked as a Project Firefighter at Cleland in the Adelaide Hills before obtaining a Ranger position at Dhilba Guuranda – Innes National Park on the Yorke Peninsula, then Little Dip Conservation Park at Robe and now here at Mount Remarkable National Park.
I have always been passionate about nature and protecting the environment. I spent my 20’s travelling and working in various countries overseas and during this time my love for nature and my desire to protect it grew even stronger, and I knew when I returned to Australia that I wanted to dedicate my career to protecting the environment. I love working outdoors so a Park Ranger position was ideal and I was lucky enough to score my dream job!
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I enjoy most facets of my role. It’s a nice feeling to look forward to going to work each day. I would have to say my favourite part of the role is working outdoors in nature each day and protecting our beautiful parks and reserves.
If you could change one thing about the job what would it be and why?
How under resourced we are for all that the role is required to achieve. So much of our time is spent on visitor and asset management that unfortunately natural resource management doesn’t receive the time and funding it needs.
Tell us about a funny or embarrassing thing to happen on the job:
It was technically before I started work, but I was going for a run in Dhilba Guuranda Innes National Park one morning and tripped and fell over right in front of one of the 4G motion cameras linked to the Landscape Boards inbox.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in the environmental field?
There are many different avenues to becoming a ranger and I would suggest people get as much experience as possible if they are considering it as a career. A great way gain this experience is to volunteer either through local ‘Friends of Parks’ groups or apply to become a volunteer ranger through the departments volunteer ranger program. Most ranger positions require a degree, but not always, if considering study then Environmental Science or Conservation and Land Management degrees are very helpful. Lastly, firefighting is a highly regarded skill in the department. You could consider becoming a volunteer through your local Country Fire Service (CFS) or applying to become Seasonal Fire Crew for the department. Many people become rangers through this employment stream.
Favourite word:
Juxtaposition – it’s fun to say!
Favourite quote:
“The human spirit needs places where nature has not been re-arranged by the hand of man” and “Life shrinks and expands in line with ones courage”
Favourite animal:
Nudibranchs! They are all so unique and amazing!!
Favourite plant:
Hardenbergia violacea (Happy Wanderer)
Favourite SA Park/protected area?
Ooo this is a tough one, would have to be a tie between Dhilba Guuranda Innes and Ikara Flinders Ranges.
Tell us about a place in SA that’s special/underrated/not well known:
I would have to say the Limestone coast is a hidden gem, from Little Dip Conservation Park, through Beachport and Canunda National Park, all the way to Ewens and Piccaninnie Ponds. All very special places that aren’t as frequently visited by South Australians!
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