ERF Newsletter February 25
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Dear European rangers,
You can probably hear, smell and see it too: spring is coming with its first flowers and birdsong at dawn. Normally, this is a time of hope and confidence.
But I have to admit that I am struggling. We still have two wars in our region, far too many people have already fallen victim to them. Since yesterday, when the murder of the Israeli ranger Ohad Yahalomi, kidnapped from his home, became public, we know that one of our members is among these victims in a particularly cruel way. Not to mention the many tragedies on all sides of which we have no knowledge.
But what we see even after three dark years since the Russian invasion does indeed give hope: Rangers in Ukraine continue to stand up for nature, even in life-threatening circumstances. One reason for this is certainly the trust and comfort that nature provides. Just as we, the European ranger community, could: See how each and every one of us can contribute in our interview with a Ukrainian ranger and supporters of the country's protected areas.
A really great ray of hope are the sponsors of our Ranger Leaf programme, which supports rangers in need, be it with participation in international ranger & conservationist exchange or equipment. See what our current sponsor has to say about his motivation.
One of the reasons to donate to rangers are rangers like those in the Trient Valley in Switzerland. Our interview shows how important their work is in getting people on board when nature is given back space with new protected areas.
We also want to highlight your work: the challenges you face and the landscapes, species and habitats you work in. This way we can raise awareness of the many important roles of rangers to help conservation decision-makers better support rangers. Send us your ranger video to make rangers more visible! Click on the image or see the details below.
I close with my thoughts to all rangers and their families who are suffering from hardships such as war, massive job cuts or natural disasters. May the Ranger community give each of you strength and confidence
Urs Reif, President of the ERF
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It was with great dismay that we learnt yesterday about the murder of Ranger Ohad Yahalomi, an Israeli Nature and Parks Authority ranger and ERF member, whilst being held in captivity. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, whose son Eitan was also initially taken captive, while his wife with their two daughters managed to escape shortly after the kidnapping. We wish them and his sister all the strength and support they need to come to terms with what they have experienced and yesterday's cruel news. We also extend our most sincere wishes for solidarity and confidence to Ohad Yahalomi's close friends and colleagues in the face of this difficult loss. You can find a small insight into the commemoration of his life here.
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The rangers and protected area staff in Ukraine have been working under wartime conditions for three years now. How nature conservation can be maintained at all under these conditions and how rangers and nature cope with this extreme situation: We wanted to find out from Ivan Moiseienko, ranger and Head of Conservation at Drevlianskyi Nature Reserve, and Nataliia Bohdan, co-project manager for the Nature Fund of Ukraine. First of all: for many of them, nature is a real source of strength, despite all the dangers in the field. And we as the European ranger community can provide another important boost for the fellow rangers in Ukraine in addition to training, knowledge and equipment: the feeling of not being alone.
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Tellus Conservation, a UK-based company that develops nature-based solution projects, has established a comprehensive and philanthropic support project in Ukraine: the Nature Fund of Ukraine. When Russia began its invasion, many donors and funders within the company's network asked how they could support Ukraine in the environmental field. Co-founder Jody Bragger gives an insight into how this led to extensive help for 10 Ukrainian protected areas and how European rangers could be involved.
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For Frédéric Debétaz, ranger in the brand-new Trient Valley Regional Nature Park, Swiss canton of Valais, patience and respect are the most important tools in his work to raise awareness of conservation rules. In order to acquire those skills along with conflict management know-how and the vital self-knowledge, high-quality and repeated training is required. How such an investment pays off, can be seen from the success of Frédéric & his team's work for such emblematic animals as the lynx, black grouse, badger, but also for the satisfaction of park visitors in the breathtaking Alpine landscape. By not only pointing out violations of regulations, but also showing alternatives, both are served: the visitors, who are often not even aware of these violations. And the species that depend on undisturbed habitats. Learn more in our interview!
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Buy a leaf and sponsor a ranger with limited financial means – to take part in the important international exchange of the ranger network. Or for urgently needed equipment. Buy several leaves and strengthen the roots of the ranger network – the ‘tree’. That’s the idea behind our Ranger Leaves programme for sponsors. Franz Moder didn’t have to think twice about buying several Ranger Leaves: „I also have to do with protected areas and produce a lot of paper in this matter. But it is very important that there is someone out there in the field who communicates to people the value of nature, its beauty and why it needs to be protected“, says the owner of the Bavarian landscape planning office OPUS. A big thank you! Meet our sponsor community and learn how you can make use of our Ranger Leaves.
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Our Europe Regional Representative reports
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Giving Europe’s rangers a face and a voice: that’s what we, together with the TGLF UK and our member, the CMA, want to push with this call for ranger videos!
And for this we need you: Send us a video recorded with mobile phone that we can share on our channels. In it you should answer these questions:
- What is your name, country and the protected or natural area you work in?
- What is most special feature / natural heritage / species / habitat of the landscape you are protecting?
- Which is your biggest challenge as a ranger?
Requirements
Please stand in front of your mobile camera and read the questions out loud before answering them. Make sure that no background noises such as wind or water noise interfere with the sound.
The video should not be longer than 2 minutes in total and should be recorded in landscape format.
Deadline & Transfer
We kindly ask you to submit your videos until 21 March 2025 by using this upload link, adding it to our Drive-Folder or sending a download link to press@europeanrangers.org.
Please share largely 📢
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The German National Association of Nature Guards, Bundesverband Naturwacht, invites to its 30th national conference in the Rhön Biosphere Reserve on the topic:
- Rangers – Networked in the region
Best practice examples from the Rhön region
- From 12 to 14 March 2025
For detailed information on programme and registration please check out this website.
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On March 20, we’ll be celebrating World Rewilding Day! This year’s theme, #RewildingTogether, is a perfect opportunity to showcase how rewilding connects people and nature, creating thriving landscapes and communities.
To help you get involved, Rewilding Europe has created a dedicated webpage.
Here, you can:
* Learn more about rewilding and World Rewilding Day
* Access resources like social media cards, posters, and a rewilding playlist
* Discover ways to get involved
* Submit an event you’re organising
* See how others across Europe are celebrating!
Whether it’s a video screening, local gathering, field trip, or something unique to your work: every action helps spread the message of rewilding.
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Please note: Detailed information about all you need to know for the 6th European Ranger Congress & registration will follow very likely in the beginning of April with the launch of the congress website.
This ERC will be held in cooperation with the Romanian Ranger Association and Foundation Conservation Carpathia:
- from 6 to 10 October 2025
- in Brașov County, Romania, in immediate vicinity of Piatra Craiului National Park
- on the topic
'Rangers – the voice of nature
Building a bridge between local communities and nature conservation'
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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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