LARISSA HALE

Founder & CEO

Born and raised in Far North Queensland, with deep roots in Cape York, I serve as the Managing Director of Yuku Baja Muliku Landowner & Reserves Ltd and the Queensland Indigenous Women Rangers Network.

Since 2007, I’ve led the development of key initiatives like the YBM Indigenous Land & Sea Ranger Program, YBM Junior Ranger Program, and the Archer Point Turtle Hospital.

The YBM Ranger team manages 22500 hectares of land and adjacent sea country as part of the Yuku Baja Muliku Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. My role varies daily, ranging from facilitating workshops, attending meetings with government / partners - through to working with youth, Women Rangers, fighting wildfires or rescuing saltwater turtles. 

Our team also works with scientists from a variety of universities and have comprehensive monitoring projects (biocultural) across our country. I have co-authored a paper with developers of the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), with the aim to investigate the application of the CVI concept to assess impacts of climate change upon some of our key values. The project was the first attempt in Australia to trial the CVI process with First Nations people. By working with climate change scientists, we were able to develop a process that is Traditional Owner-centric and places our values, risk assessment, and risk mitigation and management within an established climate change assessment framework (the CVI framework).

In 2018, I founded the Queensland Indigenous Women’s Rangers Network, which supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in developing careers in land and sea management. This initiative has created significant opportunities for women committed to preserving our country and culture.

My dedication to caring for our land, people, and future drives my work. I believe that pride in our country is closely linked to the well-being of our communities. Programs like the YBM Junior Ranger Program, which brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, reflect this commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering environmental stewardship.

My passion for the environment, the Great Barrier Reef, and my culture has led to numerous leadership roles at both national and international levels. I have finished my second term as a Cook Shire Councillor. I was honoured with the Earthshot Prize for Revive Our Oceans in 2022 and received the Women in Technology Award in 2023.

I also hold leadership positions with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, serving as Board Member of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Chair of the Traditional Owner Advisory Group and a Member for the Partnership Management Committee, where I champion the inclusion of Reef Traditional Owners in sea country management. 

Outside of work, I am passionate about Indigenous art and the ongoing growth of Indigenous land and sea management. I enjoy fishing, camping, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.