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Dear European rangers,
The peak season has probably begun for most of you with visitor streams following the start of summer. May this update on our latest news be a welcome break.
We have just finished World Female Ranger Week with many encouraging examples of female rangers around the globe contributing invaluable skills and expertise to conservation. But as the statements also show: There remains work to do for a diverse ranger workforce where female rangers are as recognised as their male counterparts.
Female rangers also play an important role in connecting communities and conservation by engaging and being connected in a variety of ways. Building a bridge between local communities and nature conservation is crucial for effective conservation – and therefore also the theme of our 6th European Ranger Congress. Only 98 days to go until it starts: high time to register, if you haven't done so yet – see below!
Meanwhile, our ERC coordination & organisation team has been on site in Romania finalising the last details of the congress programme with our partners (see photo). To enable as many rangers as possible to attend, we launched an ERC fundraising campaign to finance participation for rangers unable to attend by own means. Spread the word – as connecting rangers across borders means multiplying conservation skills!
Lastly, we are rapidly approaching this year's World Ranger Day. Its theme “Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation” is closely related to our congress theme and the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress, seeing rangers as partners in community-led conservation. Show us how this looks in practice by submitting your photo for 31 July!
Have a pleasant read
Urs Reif, President of the ERF
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After a week overflowing with inspiring, fascinating and encouraging stories of female rangers from around the world, we conclude World Female Ranger Week 2025 with the realisation that nevertheless there is still a way to go before female rangers are recognised, equipped and employed on an equal footing with their male counterparts. See for yourself in the statements from rangers and conservationists from Europe and beyond that we received for this special week from 23 to 30 June 2025 – each of them highlighting one of the focus topics for every day of the week. Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed!
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Connecting Rangers Across Borders = Multiplying Conservation Skills: This formula proves true in each international ranger meeting. We are currently running a campaign for donations to support broad ranger participation at the 6th European Ranger Congress (ERC) in Romania in October this year, as ranger budgets in many European countries would otherwise not allow rangers to attend. Help by sharing our campaign!
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Preparations for the 6th European Ranger Congress (ERC) are currently in full swing: On site at our partners, the Foundation Conservation Carpathia (FCC) and the Romanian Ranger Association (RRA). Our ERC Coordinator and Financial Officer Michael Großmann and ERF Secretary Maria Gurscaia (photo on the right) are finalising the details of the high time event for Europe’s rangers with Mihai Zotta (FCC, left) and Florin Halastauan (RRA, second from left). Rangers from all corners of Europe will gather in Romania in October under the theme ‘Building a Bridge between Local Communities and Nature Conservation’, discussing ways to balance human interests and nature protection. Be part of it & register now!
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As announced by the International Ranger Federation (IRF), this years' theme for World Ranger Day on 31 July will be 'Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation'. 'Transformative conservation means reimagining the role of rangers – not just as protectors of nature, but as partners in community-led conservation. Rangers play a key role in building inclusive approaches that represent and understand local rights, knowledge, and livelihoods', as it says on IRF's website. Show how this looks like in practice and help strengthen recognition for rangers' essential work: Send us your photo for World Ranger Day to press@europeanrangers.org or upload it here, together with information on your full name, country of origin, protected area and brief description of your photo. Deadline: 15 July 2025
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Informations on registration and detailed information for the 6th European Ranger Congress (ERC) can be found on our 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'
Buy a 6th ERC Ranger Coin to help rangers:To help us helping as many rangers as possible to attend, see how you can buy a memory of the 6th ERC while at the same time supporting fellow rangers with the 6th ERC Ranger Coin. 
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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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