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Dear European rangers,
Not everything is always harmonious when humans and wild nature meet. Especially where wild species return after a long time, moderators and conflict resolvers are needed so that wild species and local communities can coexist. In times of 30x30 and other strategies aiming at the expansion of protected natural habitats, we rangers are particularly important here.
It is precisely this task in which our current ranger training programme on rewilding projects and human-wildlife conflicts supports participants from a dozen countries right at the moment (see photo above). Starting from the training base at Poiana Rusca Lake in the Western Carpathians, they are learning from fellow rangers of the Romanian Ranger Association, Rewilding Europe and other institutions how to intervene in conflicts, what role livestock guarding dogs play and how the reintroduction of bison works technically. We will report more detailed soon!
As a ranger, I often experience first-hand that nature conservation and therefore ranger work must increasingly take into account the development and needs of local communities. Decisions made by protected area managements often have consequences for locals. And yet there is a communication gap, so that the latter often feel ignored. We rangers step into this gap. In a double interview with EUROPARC President Michael Hošek, we not only recognised the need to empower rangers for this role as a common goal, but also identified many other points for intensified cooperation.
Our new format "Two Rangers, Two Projects" shows just how important rangers and their work projects already are for society: it kicks off with two rangers, one of whom gives people with refugee background access to nature. The other is coordinating a cadaver research project. In doing so, they are contributing to a life worth living on our planet: through social cohesion and biodiversity as one of its pillars. Of course we would also like to hear about your ranger projects. No matter how big or small, no matter what the topic: get in touch at press@europeanrangers.org!
Plus: Read the story of a male wolf from northern Germany and a Catalonian ranger who tracked him more than 1,000 kilometers southwest and helped uncover the new wolf migration record! And support a fellow Israeli ranger with your answers to improve staff assessment – a good mutual learning experience for all with staff responsibility!
Sadly, it has become a tradition for me to remember the kidnapped ERF ranger Ohad Yahalomi from Israel, whose family still has no news of his fate.
Sincerely hoping to be able to report more positive news about Ohad soon
Urs Reif, President of the ERF
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To preserve our natural resources, we need to act beyond protected areas. Working towards more sustainable development and nature conservation in communities is becoming increasingly urgent, not least to meet targets such as the recently enacted EU Nature Restoration Law. Michael Hošek and Urs Reif agree that rangers are an important link when it comes to integrating community development with nature conservation. In our double interview, the President of the EUROPARC Federation and the ERF discuss starting points for intensified cooperation, such as the important role of Junior Rangers, and give an outlook on this year's projects.
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When Catalan ranger Gabriel Lampreave found wolf scat with his sniffer dog, he had no idea what an impressive story would unfold: with the help of a special canine unit and the genetic laboratory in Barcelona, his team tracked down a wolf that did not at all match the previously observed wolf population from the Alpine lineage. Read about an exciting journey of discovery, made possible by collaboration with scientists from laboratories in Barcelona, France and Germany, at the end of which it was confirmed that a male wolf from northern Germany had traveled an impressive 1,190 kilometers straight-line distance.
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Hayden Bridgeman helps people from refugee backgrounds to find access to nature. David Moore coordinates a cadaver research project in a national park. With their projects, both are making important contributions to our coexistence here on earth: through social cohesion for a more peaceful coexistence and through biodiversity as a basic prerequisite for our survival. At the same time, they are also contributing to the global political goals for sustainable development and biodiversity. In our new format "Two Rangers, Two Projects", find out what personal hopes and goals fthey associate with the project and what challenges they face. And tell us which ranger project you are working on, however everyday or special it may seem to you: press@europeanrangers.org!
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Questionnaire: evaluation in National Parks
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To all of you who have some staff responsibility: We would like to forward you a questionnaire from Alexey Sholomitskiy, ranger and manager of the Alexander River National Park in Israel:
To improve the appraisal process in our national park, I would like to quote a few examples from other national park services around the world. I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions:
- Does some standard employee appraisal procedure exist in your National Park?
- Do you have clear parameters/measurable criteria for evaluating the results for each employee?
- What is the appraisal period, how often does the appraisal procedure take place (once a year, twice a year, each month)?
- Do you have some channel to give feedback about your management? Is it anonymous or an open channel?
- Could you attach some blank or questionnaire with performance standards for employee?
Thank you in advance, Alexey Sholomitskiy
Please send your answers to alexeyS@npa.org.il
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The Forests and Communities Initiative (FCI) has issued a crucial call for action to protect forests and respect the rights of indigenous peoples.
This call for action follows the first international conference of the Initiative, which was held in Monaco last November and also joined by us on behalf of the European Rangers. It brought together over 100 participants, all of whom are signatories to the call. The call highlights the key challenges and proposes 19 concrete recommendations to overcome them.
Some of the recommendations include the need to strengthen the protection of Indigenous territories, promote the participation of local communities in decision-making, and invest in conservation initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples. These measures aim to ensure the preservation of forest ecosystems while respecting the rights and traditions of local populations.
Learn more and join the movement!
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The 10th World Ranger Congress of the International Ranger Federation (IRF) will be hosted by Gardes Nature de France (GNF) on the theme "Empowering Rangers Globally to meet the 30 x 30 Challenge".
Website, registration and accommodation booking are now online. Check out the congress website for all informations.
Volunteers are needed to help with the on-site organisation! If you are interested, please contact wrc@internationalrangers.org
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