Junior rangers in Western Australia's mining-focused Pilbara region will receive on-the-ground experience in sustainable land management with the support of funding from the state's regional power supplier.

The Wanparta Junior Rangers program was one of several Indigenous recipients of $545,000 in grants via Horizon Power's latest community partnerships program, which funds community projects in regional and remote WA.

The Wanparta Aboriginal Corporation received $5000 to support its Ngarla Junior Rangers program, which was co-designed with local Elders, Rangers, and Ngarla families to reflect local values and support knowledge sharing.

Horizon Power's funding will help provide budding rangers with new uniforms, safety gear, educational resources and activity kits.

Aspiring Aboriginal rangers will also get real opportunities to connect with Country, build cultural pride and explore pathways in education and employment.

The junior ranger program includes hands-on training in how to actively care for land through clean-ups, undertaking biodiversity surveys, and learning about more complex sustainable land management practices.

Wanparta Aboriginal Corporation said its partnership with Horizon Power had given youths in the community opportunities to learn about caring for Country and what a career as a ranger might entail.

"Our partnership with Horizon Power creates intergenerational opportunities for our young people," the WAC board said.

"They can learn from Elders, and build pathways toward becoming future rangers.

"The program is important as it supports whole-of-life participation and inclusion... in turn strengthening cultural knowledge, skills, and community connection for future generations."

Horizon's latest round of funding provided grants to several other local Indigenous projects, such as cultural festivals, sports development, environmental stewardship, as well as initiatives that cover mental health, support for family and domestic violence victims, Indigenous empowerment, and youth engagement.

The WA Government provides $1.1 million each financial year to initiatives and events supporting health and wellbeing across the WA regional energy provider's service area, with more than $5.5m distributed across 600-plus projects since 2020.

A government spokesperson said its support of events across remote WA had helped drive more visitors to regions, increasing economic activity in local economies.

"This program is driving local growth, health, and wellbeing, and supporting sustainable communities across the state," they said.

Applications for Horizon Power's next round of program funding open February 2, 2026.

More information about Horizon Power's community partnerships can be found online.