ERF Newsletter September 23
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Dear European rangers,
This month we are early with our monthly update. The reason for this is our Image & Fundraising Workshop for Europe's rangers, which some of us are already leaving for these days. We, the ERF Board, will meet in Dartmoor National Park, UK, for a few days with representatives of our national member associations – made possible on site by the great support of our former Vice President Ian Brooker.
We have planned this workshop to jointly develop strategies on how we in our world region can help to ensure that rangers are finally included in national and international conservation strategies as those who implement them on the ground. Since it is obviously not enough for us rangers to do our job, we want to find ways to raise awareness of its importance for the health of our planet – and how we can raise the necessary funds for this image work. Since successful image work in turn enables further support, our workshop is called "Fundraising helps Image helps Fundraising". We will keep you informed about the results, so stay tuned!
One example of the importance of ranger work is the issue of invasive species (IS) management and control. A recent report by the World Biodiversity Council IPBES has alarmed that IS are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. We spoke to the report's review editor and IS specialist Piero Genovesi, who sees rangers as central to combating it. Just as central is the role as mediators between people and nature: our interview with the Austrian Ranger Association once again highlights the importance of environmental education by rangers, who open people's eyes to biodiversity and its value day after day, right on their doorstep – like the beautiful grass snake in the photo above. And if you yourself want to give weight to the importance of ranger work worldwide: Join the IRF State of the Ranger Report!
Finally to all of you, fellow rangers, my renewed appeal: Because the importance of ranger work has not yet reached all decision-makers: we rangers need volunteers! And volunteers deserve recognition. Therefore: Help us to give them recognition with our photo competition. Use this opportunity to honour your own volunteers. In many protected areas, they are the backbone for preserving the area and keeping the regional connection with the citizens alive. Their role is thus very important in many ways. The ERF is trying to give a voice to all these volunteers – who in most cases spend their often scarce free time in our protected areas. So please forward this project and inform your volunteers about it.
Enjoy the read!
Urs Reif, President of the ERF
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For many European rangers, management and control of invasive species is part of their job. As alarming as the recent IPBES report on the massive threat to biodiversity posed by invasive species is: It shows that this very work can significantly minimise the threat. Read in our interview with Piero Genovesi, review editor for the report, what conditions therefore are needed for rangers and why the are key in various ways.
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Invasive alien species are a major factor in 60 percent and the only driver in 16 percent of global animal and plant extinctions: This is what the World Biodiversity Council IPBES states in its most recent report. While their influence on the sixth mass extinction of species has been grossly underestimated, the threat posed by invasive species to global health can be brought under control.
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In Austria, rangers work mainly on a part-time basis. Manuela Jenicek tells us in our interview how this is a challenge in many respects and why she puts everything into environmental education alongside her 40-hour job as a nurse. But she also reveals that the guided tours and wildlife encounters in the Thayatal National Park always feel like a very special reward for her and how rangers in Austria are especially concerned with making people aware of the biodiversity at their doorstep.
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Whether it's turtle conservation, environmental education, animal rescue or cleanup events: Our photo contest shows the many ways volunteers help in the ERF Region's protected areas. Check it out and send it to your volunteers as inspiration to get involved! We'd love to honor as many of your volunteers as possible.
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Take your chance to be part of a premiere: The International Ranger Federation invites you to participate in the State of the Ranger Report. Help give weight to this first global report on the ranger profession to raise the profile of rangers, their essential role for this planet and thus prepare the ground for the support they deserve.
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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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The 10th World Ranger Congress of the International Ranger Federation will be hosted by Gardes Nature de France on the theme "Empowering Rangers Globally to meet the 30 x 30 Challenge"
- At Giens Peninsula, Hyères, in France
- From 7 to 11 October 2024
- With focus on the contributions and evolution of the ranger profession to achieve target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework
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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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editorial work for this content supported by
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