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Dear European rangers,
Have you heard of transformative conservation? Even if you haven't, rest assured that you are practising the theme of today's World Ranger Day (WRD) every day: ‘Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation’. All the more reason to celebrate the important work you are all doing for our planet! And if you're looking for examples on transformative conservation: check out our WRD 2025 Countdown!
Above all, World Ranger Day is a day to commemorate all our fellow rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This year, we tragically count 175 deaths among rangers, the highest number ever reported to the IRF – with many more incidents likely to have gone unreported. Please see the message from our former ERF Vice President Ian Brooker, as IRF coordinator for the Roll of Honour, on this year's list of fallen rangers:
Please join us in taking a minute in silcence to honour all those who have lost their lives carrying out their duties as rangers. We will continue to advocate for rangers to get the recognition and equipment they deserve, ensuring that their risks are minimised.
A tragic example shows how urgent this is in view of climate change and its consequences like the massive increase forest fire risk: it is with deep sadness that we received the tragic news of the death of Albanian ranger Bledar Sahiu, who lost his life on the way to help fighting such a forest fire.
Also the rangers in France's Côte d'Azur region are facing the effects of climate change. With water temperatures around 10 degrees above normal and the constant threat of wildfire, they balance protecting biodiversity with the visitor flows – a huge task.
Meanwhile, rangers in regions like the Franconian Jura in Germany are busy raising awareness of sensitive habitats such as caves. Unfortunately, rangering here not only means sensitising for their importance for hundreds of species. It also includes repeatedly removing rubbish and fire pits – and thus raising awareness even more!
All of these aspects of ranger work to integrate people to conservation only strenghten our anticipation for the exchange with you at European Ranger Congress. Only two weeks left to register, so don't delay!
Wishing you all a happy World Ranger Day!
Urs Reif, President of the ERF
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This year's World Ranger Day Countdown asked European rangers to submit photos that reflect the WRD motto: ‘Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation’. How do rangers drive transformative conservation by involving people in nature conservation and thus creating new connections? The result is a series of vivid examples sent to us that show how rangers are reconnecting people with nature, incorporating their needs and knowledge into inclusive conservation. This in turn ultimately leads to improved biodiversity and climate protection.
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Today, on World Ranger Day (WRD), we commemorate all rangers worldwide who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This year, there are more than ever before, as shown by the International Ranger Federation (IRF) Roll of Honour for this year's WRD: with 175 rangers, the highest number of rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty has been reported to the IRF. The actual number is likely to be much higher. Please also see IRF's press release on World Ranger Day 2025.
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Caves are a hidden habitat that nevertheless needs special protection. Not only because they are home to a very special fauna, including hundreds of largely unknown inhabitants. Caves are also by no means isolated. Climate change has a significant impact, as can intensive agriculture, industry and sewage via the groundwater – while caves, on the other hand, are important filters for our groundwater. And then there are human cave visitors, whose litter Sabrina Sedlacek, ranger in Upper Palatinate, Germany, unfortunately finds time and again. Read in our interview, how she is particularly focused on conveying this highly vulnerable habitat and its inhabitants.
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Holiday season means high season for rangers. Especially on the French Côte d’Azur, whose species and habitats are suffering from extreme sea temperatures this summer. Tristan Calistri, ranger in the protected areas of Colle Noire and the Giens peninsula, two protected areas in this region, reports water temperatures of up to 30 degrees. Normal at this time of year is an average of 21 degrees. What it’s like to conserve biodiversity in one of Europe’s most popular coastal regions, while climate change is hitting hard at the same time: our interview tells his story.
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We are happy to present this IRF webinar offer:
“On World Ranger Day 2025, join us in honoring and celebrating women rangers – their contributions, the challenges they overcome, and the way forward for building more inclusive and resilient conservation leadership."
- Date: 31 July 2025 (Thursday)
- Time: 12:30 – 13:30 PM (CEST)
- Platform: Zoom
Registration link
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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'
Please note: Registration ends at 15 August 2025 – register now!
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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