Did you know that you can really make a difference for Rangers just by signing up as a member of the South Australian Ranger Association?
Almost anyone can qualify to become a SARA member, whether you are a professional or a supporter. Both member types help to achieve the Associations objectives of supporting the staff crucial to conservation, promoting the Ranger profession, providing networking opportunities for Rangers, and fundraising for the Thin Green Line Foundation to assist Rangers worldwide.
Membership fees and member numbers help SARA to fund events, gain support from business partners and buy merchandise to grow our financial capacity to support and promote Rangers.
SARA Members at the Council of Oceania Ranger Associations Forum in Aoetearoa-New Zealand
Do I qualify to join SARA?
Full membership – is open to any person who holds employment within South Australia in an organisation engaged in the protection, preservation, interpretation and/or administration of a natural or cultural asset. Our full members work widely in the field of conservation of protected areas or where their role supports the objectives of SARA. It is not necessary to have the word Ranger in your title. Fee $32.50 per year.
SARA Alumni membership – is open to any person who once held a full membership within SARA, has previously been employed by a conservation or protected area organisation and their application is supported by the committee. Fee: $15.00 per year.
Supporting membership – is open to persons or associations actively engaged in the activities of full members who support the objectives of SARA and may include volunteers, students or other organisations and whose application has been supported by the committee. Fee: $15.00 per year.
What does it mean to be a member?
Full members can help to shape how the Association supports Rangers. They have full voting rights, may become a part of the executive committee, or hold a position as a regional or group representative. This membership keeps you on the pulse of upcoming opportunities and events.
Being a full member will bring you together with your peers, allowing you to feel connected with the global Ranger community, adding value to your conservation work by appreciating the big picture and bringing perspective to what members do in their daily roles. Access to the network SARA provides can support not only the wellbeing of our members, but it also builds the awareness publicly of the challenges Rangers face day to day, especially here in South Australia.
Alumni members don’t have voting rights like full members but they contribute to SARA via mentoring, facilitating external networking and advocacy (e.g. to eNGOs and other complementary organisations), fostering relationships and direct SARA project involvement.
The importance of current staff retaining access to mentors is important and the Alumni membership helps to maintain the knowledge transfer between existing staff and experienced legends. The Ranger role changes but the principles stay the same, keeping hold of past knowledge and experience is crucial to new and existing staff.
Supporting members don’t have voting rights but they are an important part of the Association as they can attend events, help us fundraise and be the supporting people that Rangers need by their side. You’ll never hear a Ranger say they do their jobs alone, the family members, volunteers, community and business partners (just to name a few) provide the support we need, during the good times and when the going gets tough. Supporting members are the voice of our Rangers, helping us to achieve at our events, fundraise and distribute our messages outside of our circles.
All memberships allows you to meaningfully support other colleagues who many not be as fortunate throughout the Oceania Region and globally through the Thin Green Line.
Sean Wilmore from The Thin Green Line Foundation presenting to SARA members and supporters in Adelaide
How do I join?
Simply visit our webpage, complete a membership application form and email it to us at DEW.SARangerAssociation@sa.gov.au.
What else do I get for my membership?
​ | Full members | Alumni members | Supporting members |
Opportunities to attend public events in stunning areas | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Opportunities to be involved in fundraising activities | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The SARA Spotlight Newsletter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
International Ranger Federation Publications | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Opportunities to partner with SARA to bring Rangers, merchandise and Thin Green Line messaging to add value to your next event | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Free merchandise upon annual membership renewal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Invitations to International round table webinars | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Access to peers worldwide | Yes | Yes | ​ |
Access to a closed Facebook group to share content safely with your peers | Yes | Yes | ​ |
Opportunities to practise and develop skills in facilitation, mentoring, business and philanthropic relationships | Yes | Yes | ​ |
Opportunities to attend member only events in stunning areas | Yes | Yes | ​ |
Sponsored travel to the Council of Oceania Rangers Forums and World Ranger Congress (currently DEW staff only) | Yes | ​ | ​ |
Opportunities to apply for funded travel to the Council of Oceania Rangers Forums and World Ranger Congress through the Thin Green Line | Yes | ​ | ​ |
​Opportunities to practise and develop skills in chairing, running organisations, event management and executive level engagement | Yes | ​ | ​ |