World Female Ranger Day: 5 Questions with Bounceback Ecologist, Niamh Douglas

1. Is there a moment in the field that reminded you why you became a Ranger?

Before joining the Bounceback team in 2025, I was a Ranger for 4 years in the Flinders Ranges. During this time, I had weekly reminders as to why I became a Ranger. When I would stop to chat to a visitor and make their day by telling them about the bird species they might find, when I was on the fire ground conducting a prescribed burn to further protect the park from bushfires, when I was working alongside a dedicated volunteer group removing pest plants from the landscape. The list goes on. 

More recently I was involved in Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby surveys in the Southern Flinders Ranges and we discovered a new core population within Mount Remarkable National Park. This was definitely a pinch-me moment and a fantastic reminder as to why the work we do is valuable and absolutely necessary if we want to continue to protect what we have left. 

2. What’s something surprising about your job that most people don’t know?

I think people would be surprised at how remote we work, often alone too. About 70% of my time is spent in the field, away from home. In Bounceback, we cover several reserves across the semi-arid landscape of South Australia so my job takes me from the Gawler Ranges on the central Eyre Peninsula, to the Gammon Ranges in the north, and all the way to the Olary Ranges near the NSW border. Working in the field is my happy place, every conservationist would agree with that, however working remote does have its challenges. For example, when it rains, we lose access to all our parks. When we need something repaired, there is often no one to call so we naturally become bush mechanics. (I am also a very terrible replier to text messages as 70% of the time, I have no connectivity!)

3.What’s your favourite species to work with in the Three Safer Havens project and why does it deserve a spotlight? And your favourite place within the Three Safer Havens project area?

I can easily answer both of these! My favourite species is the Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby (Andu). Having spent all of my career in the Flinders Ranges, I have grown to appreciate the resilience of. Many people don’t realise that Andu were on the brink of local extinction in the Flinders Ranges in the 1990’s before the Bounceback Program came along. Years of feral animal control and species monitoring has enabled the species to (excuse my pun) bounce back. Where once you would have to scourer the landscape to spot one of our yellow footed friends, now they are everywhere! 

Favourite place within the Safer Havens project area would be Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. I spent 8 months working there as a Ranger and now my Ecologist role takes me there for field work frequently. Seeing the sunrise hit the wall of Wilpena Pound, spotting a Western Quoll in the Pound Gap, or driving through Brachina Gorge experiencing time through a geological lens. The Flinders is a special place to me and my family, and it always brings me peace being out there. 

4. What skills or qualities do you think make a great Ranger - beyond a love of nature, of course. 

All the skills required for a job in conservation can be taught. I started out my career in 2020 on the seasonal fire crew and I was as green as can be. I knew nothing about fire, how to sharpen a chainsaw or even how to reverse a trailer! But I was given a chance as I showed passion and enthusiasm. A true passion and love for the environment cannot be taught. This is in our DNA, it’s in our bones. I truly believe as long as you show respect and a willingness to learn, you will go far in the conservation space. 

5. If you could inspire one young girl to follow in your footsteps, what would you want her to know.

I would say to never give up on your dreams or let anyone tell you that something isn’t possible. You will face barriers and challenges in this career, any women will tell you that, however it is important to not lose hope, to not lose sight of why we wake up every day and choose to protect this planet. I would want young girls to know that you are needed in this space. You provide a different skill set that others may lack. You show empathy, you think outside the box, you break down barriers by putting on that uniform every day. 

Be bold. Be confident. Be YOU. 

As the late Dr Jane Goodall once said “It actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman, that is why there are so many of us”…