Seasonal reservoir ranger signs up for all four seasons

Seasonal Reservoir Ranger Holly Giancono has joined SA Water's team of 20 permanent rangers, who protect, enhance and manage reservoir reserves around South Australia. The key role of the rangers Is to provide visitors a positive experience and help to ensure a continued supply of safe, clean drinking water for the community.

Holly began at SA Water in 2022 and currently spends her time across reserves including Barossa, Middle River on Kangaroo Island and Myponga on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

SA Water’s Senior Manager of Environment and Energy James Crocker said Holly’s knowledge and enthusiasm for people and the environment made her an excellent candidate to work in the Reservoir Ranger team all year-round.

“Holly has been a fantastic ranger over the summer months and we look forward to continuing to work with her on a full-time basis,” James said.

"The seasonal ranger program was introduced to support the ever-growing popularity of our open access reservoir reserves, particularly during the warmer months. Our reservoir rangers provide information about wildlife and the environment as well share important conservation messages and Holly loves being able to share her passion with the community and our reservoir volunteers.”

Holly discovered the seasonal ranger program during her studies in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, and it gave her the opportunity to put her knowledge to work and live out her passion for being out in the field.

“I loved my time as a seasonal reservoir ranger and quickly discovered that this was my dream job. Being able to continue contributing to positive environmental outcomes and providing the best quality drinking water for South Australians as a full-time reservoir ranger is a privilege,” Holly said.

Through her role, Holly is tasked with creating habitats for local fauna, encouraging biodiversity through native revegetation planting, and leading volunteer activities such as bush care, weed control and wildlife surveys.

In addition, she helps to identify introduced plant and animal species within the reserves and participates in various control tactics to manage those that pose the most threat to native vegetation and wildlife. She also conducts dam wall inspections and maintains and protects valuable water infrastructure, as well as works with water samplers to monitor and test water quality within the reservoirs.

“My favourite part about being a ranger is having the freedom to be outdoors and work in nature,” Holly said.

“The variety this job offers, being able to spend my workday in a beautiful natural environment and playing a role in protecting it for future generations to enjoy, gives me great satisfaction and a feeling that I am making a difference.”

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