MELISSA PEPPER
Ranger Program Manager
land.management@
karlka.com.au
MELISSA PEPPER
Ranger Program Manager
land.management@
karlka.com.au
Mel grew up in Brisbane but really calls Kangaroo Island home and when she gets a break from her busy role she loves getting back there for a visit.
Having studied Environmental Management at University in Brisbane, Mel has since gained significant experiences to support her in her role as Ranger Program Manager. Prior to joining us at KNAC in 2001, Mel worked as the Indigenous Protected Area Coordinator in the Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area which was the first IPA in Australia. In her role there she directly managed a team of seven full time Rangers.
She has also visited many remote communities across Australia from Torres Strait, to the central desert, Arnhem Land and the Kimberley in previous roles with AMRRIC and Parks Australia.
SOPHIA BOCCARDO
Ranger Field Coordinator
fieldcoordinator@
karlka.com.au
Sophia is from Perth and since joining KNAC in May 2024 as the Ranger Program Field Coordinator has relocated to Hedland.
She has a Degree in Conservation and Wildlife Biology which influenced her passion for protecting Country to preserve it for future generations.
In this new KNAC role she is excited to be collaborating with the Nyiyaparli Rangers to facilitate learning and transfer of knowledge, working together to achieve the shared goal of ‘looking after Yurlu‘
NOEL TAYLOR
Ranger Project Officer
rppo@karlka.com.au
Noel is a Nyiyaparli/Nyamal man, originally from Marble Bar and now living in Hedland. He joined KNAC in 2023 and is employed part time as a Ranger Project Officer.
In addition to his cultural knowledge of Nyiyaparli land he brings to the role his technology skills. He has helped create Fulcrum data collection apps for the Rangers to use in the field and as a drone pilot he leads the use of drones in our work on country.
Going forward he is keen to upskill in the GIS mapping, fulcrum and drones space to become a specialist in the area of fire and vegetation health mapping.
CEDRIC LAW
Ranger Field Support Officer
Cedric is originally from Tennant Creek NT, has been living in South Hedland for 24 years now. and joined KNAC in May 2024 as a Ranger Field Coordinator.
Cedric already has lots of experience with the KNAC Heritage crew with many trips on country, including at the Fortescue Marsh area where the Ranger teams works.
With so many years of experience on Nyiyaparli country in addition to knowing the community well, Cedric is a great addition to the Ranger team.