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Dear European rangers,
In most countries summer holidays just started or are about to start – high season for us rangers. Many people are drawn out into nature, whether with a tent or more luxuriously. As much work as the rush of visitors may mean in many protected areas, it is even more of an opportunity for nature conservation. All the more so if we succeed in making visitors see themselves as part of the story.
Making people part of it: This is also the philosophy behind natural and cultural heritage interpretation. Those who feel involved in the history of our natural treasures understand that they are part of the solution when it comes to their protection. But how does it work: involving people? This is what the Interpret Europe Conference in Sighișoara, Romania, was all about. Read a participant report by Lucia from Retezat National Park. You will also find a link to my speech on the role of Europe's rangers in nature interpretation.
It is certainly undisputed that the more rangers join forces and exchange ideas, the the better they can fulfil their many roles. This is exactly what our Twinning program aims at: rangers from two member associations exchange experiences, knowledge and skills – and not least strengthen each other mentally. Like rangers from Israel and Germany, who are currently preparing for their next meeting in Brandenburg, Germany, end of July. Meanwhile, we are working on criteria for associations to apply for support of twinning meetings. All details in our next newsletter.
Also very inspiring and fitting for the current World Female Ranger Week: A portrait and interview with María from Spain, who not only tells why nature is the most beautiful office in the world to her – despite all the dangers of the ranger job. She has also developed a digital tool for rangers to exchange and edit data in real time.
How digitalisation can make rangering safer, more efficient, more feasible and even more enjoyable: This was the topic of yesterday's webinar Digital Tools for Rangers with digital strategist Klemens and participants from all over Europe and the world. A recording for all those who were unable to attend will be found soon on our website.
Also: an overview of the photos submitted so far for our first Photo Contest for Volunteers of our protected areas. Let yourself be enchanted by the stories behind the photos and encourage your volunteers to take part: We would also like to honour their commitment!
Have fun reading
Urs Reif, President of the ERF
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María Martínez Labiano is not only a Spanish ranger by vocation. The environmental agent has also developed a digital tool that helps rangers to work simultaneously on the same set of data in real time, even over distances – be it in monitoring, fighting environmental emergencies or environmental crimes.
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As an educational specialist for Retezat National Park, Romania, Lucia Ursu already has a lot to do with the involvement of locals in conservation. Nevertheless, the Interpret Europe Conference has given her valuable ideas on how to make people even more part of the story. In her report she reveals some of them.
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Sharing the same passions despite all differences: That's what Twinning is about for Ilan Yeger, who co-launched the programme between Israel and Germany. Some participants even had life-changing experiences. So the waiting list for each visit is long, like now when rangers from Israel and the Black Forest visit rangers in Brandenburg end of July. Find out here what makes the twinning so successful.
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Slowly, but with great first entries, our first ERF Protected Areas Volunteer Photo Competition is gathering speed. We present an overview of the entries so far. Make sure your country is represented, motivate your volunteers or join now if you are a volunteer yourself! Below you can find all details on how to participate.
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ERF Photo Contest for Volunteers
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Is volunteering also in your nature?
This year, we would like to pay special tribute to the tireless and dedicated service provided across protected areas day after day: With a photo competition on volunteering in nature conservation for all volunteer rangers in our member organisations.
- We collect your photo entries until October 13 and publish them regularly in advance on our channels.
- After that, it will be up to the jury to select the three winners.
- Award ceremony will take place in an extra online session on December 5, 2023, the international Volunteer Day.
Please check out all the details for participation, jury and prices here or participate directly:
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This newsletter didn't reach you directly by mail? Register now to be informed conveniently in time about news, trainings, interviews and reports for and about Europe's rangers – and share the registration link with your fellow rangers.
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