Dear European rangers,
It may seem like nothing special to you. But every day you work to protect nature or help people reconnect with it is of great value to our entire society. I realised this once again when I took a look at a recent study on the results of biodiversity research. Its message: we know enough to combat the ongoing mass extinction – now is the time to act by implementing conservation strategies and by engaging people for the urgent change.
This is exactly what all of you do every day. I was therefore all the more pleased that this important role of rangers is also recognised by the more than 60 international scientists who compiled their research for the ‘10 Must Knows from Biodiversity Science’. We spoke to two of them about the most important action points and the role of rangers. Their conviction: Rangers not only convey information, but also connect people with nature through emotions – and thus win them over to species conservation on a deeper level.
Emotions and knowledge: this is also what the protagonists of our new ‘Two rangers, two projects’ bring together. One by caring for water buffaloes that protect wetlands and win the hearts of visitors, the other by investigating the motives behind poaching in order to better protect wildlife from this crime. Step by step, we want to show the enormous range of contributions that rangers make to preserving a planet worth living on. Let us know what projects you or colleagues are pursuing: press@europeanrangers.org.
The Rangers from Greifensee in Switzerland have already writte to us: By sending us a letter for their fellow rangers presenting their work, they provided excellent contact points for networking among the ranger community. Talking of networks: We look back on our Rewilding training, which led to continuing exchange, and what participants took away. Meanwhile we are working on the next training for ERF rangers and conservation managers on using the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART). Details below!
Finally, I would like to remind one sad time more of the terrible fate of our member, Israeli ranger Ohad Yahalomi and his family: 7 months since his kidnapping and still no news!
Wishing you an exciting lecture
Urs Reif, President of the ERF
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