As a Bush Ranger, students at Gladys Newton School will get involved with conservation projects, go on camps, and perform first aid within the natural environment. They will also learn bush survival techniques, about the role of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, as well as how to conduct and present nature conservation research.

That’s just a start.

The Bush Ranger WA program is a Curriculum Council endorsed program. Completion of Levels 1, 2 and 3 by Bush Ranger cadets in Years 10, 11 and 12 counts towards meeting requirements of the WA Certificate of Education (WACE).

Bush Rangers have specialist training modules covering:

• Bush Rangers’ qualities
• Practical nature conservation projects
• Working safely in natural environments
• Drill
• The meaning of conservation
• Environmental management
• Parks, reserves and landscape management
• Winning back wildlife
• Bush craft and survival
• First aid
• Interpretation of the natural environment
• Leadership in nature conservation.

You can also choose to complete a Certificate II Conservation and Land Management and Certificate II Leadership.

Some of the conservation projects completed over the last eight years include harvesting termites for the numbats at the Zoo, working with Landcare groups in salinity action, planting wildlife corridors for the Carnaby’s Cockatoo, working alongside Department of Environment and Conservation staff at the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, completing the control burns at Dwellingup and working to restore bush land on Ramsar wetlands. All of them vital to our environment!

Bush Rangers are required to wear a uniform. The uniform, which is khaki and worn with a green cap, indicates an association with Cadets WA as well as the Department of Environment and Conservation.