The Tasmanian Ranger Relay down the length of lutruwita was fundraising for a good yet little known cause: supporting the workers protecting the only National Park of one of Australia's closest neighbours, Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste is barely more than the length of the Ranger Relay from Darwin, and Australia has led international support for the country up to and since their independence in 2002. Nino Konis Santana National Park is their first National Park, and back in 2021 was protected by a mere seven Forest Guards, and seven Marine Guards! The Forest Guards had ancient motorcycles that were proving inadequate for patrolling and working in the Park.
Well, the Tasmanian Rangers Association Rangers completed the Relay (with Andrew Bain writing it up for Australian Geographic), and the public support was wonderful: enough to supply the Forest Guards with eight new motorbikes and other vital equipment such as first aid kits, tents, backpacks etc.
While not only making the Forest Guards' important work a lot easier, it also highlighted that their efforts are valued by folks from around the world, and it shone a spotlight on the Forest Guards on their home front too. The Timor-Leste government has now ramped up their support with the supply of equipment and additional staff. The TRA has also been approached by the government about setting up a 'twinning agreement' with the Forest Guards, to build on the relationship. I'm sure we can learn a lot from each other!
A massive thanks to Conservation International, who initially put us in touch with the Forest Guards and took on the job of purchasing the equipment, getting it to Dili and organizing the handover. Also a big thanks to The Thin Green Line Foundation for their support via the use of their donations platform, and advice along the way! Find Your Feet, Par Avion, Macpac, Rapid Signs and Graphics and Wild Island all came to the party to help out with equipment, flights and venues, and the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service supported us the whole way.
And a final thanks to the donors, its great to see your generosity finally hit the ground!
Message of thanks from the Forest Guards for the Tasmanian Rangers Association, video.
This wonderful story also now features on the European Ranger Federation website.
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