Funding certainty for Australia's Indigenous rangers program has been heralded as a win for the environment and Indigenous jobs.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt on Tuesday announced the federal government will put $700 million to the Indigenous rangers program from next year until 2028.
Amounting to about $102 million a year, it effectively secures existing funding.
Patrick O'Leary from Pew Charitable Trust says Indigenous rangers look after nearly half of the nation's protected areas.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt. Source: AAP
The money funds more than 800 jobs, which focus on environmental issues such as feral species control, invasive weeds, fire management and cultural site protection.
"That stability means everything to people on the ground. It means their jobs are secure, it means the organisations can plan predictably over the next seven or eight years," Mr O'Leary told AAP.
"It lets them plan, it lets them get stronger in their work and more effective in the work they deliver for the environment and cultural heritage protection.
"The Australian environment needs active management every day, you've literally got to have boots on the ground to do that. Not just for fire but for a whole range of other pressures."
Mr O'Leary says Canada is eyeing Australia's Indigenous rangers program, which he described as world-leading.
Mr Wyatt says Indigenous Australians have been caring for the country for 65,000 years.
"The rangers conduct all manner of conservation, fire management and biosecurity roles to support our natural resources being managed in a sustainable way," he said.
Rangers cover about 67 million of Indigenous protected areas across Australia, as well as national parks and private land.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley said rangers had knowledge of country that benefited their local communities.
"Traditional knowledge is helping to inform modern environmental science in managing our landscapes, protecting native species, and in the ways we adapt to changing climates," Ms Ley said.
