Celebrating the world’s rangers

This Sunday (31^st July) marks a celebration and moment of reflection for the world’s rangers – doing the ‘work that matters’ (Harvey Locke, 2016). Most of us here in the UK and Europe will go home at the end of the day. For some rangers, who work in some of the world's most dangerous protected areas, they put their lives on the line on a daily basis, and sometimes sadly lose that battle. The International Ranger Federation puts together a roll of honour for those that have died since the previous years’ World Ranger Day. This year, that figure hit 107. And these are the figures we know about. Since 2009, 595 rangers have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Ranger roll of honour - in memory of those that have lost their lives in the course of their work between 2015-16 compiled by Roger Cole of the International Ranger Federation.

As rangers, we are so lucky to do the work that we do, protecting special places, protecting wildlife (however small) and sharing these special places with the next generation. To have lost so many this year alone is very harrowing. The main causes of death this year were poaching (42%), work related incidents (41%) and by the very animal’s rangers protect (17%) - the majority from the Asian and African regions. Brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect wildlife, culture, history and communities.

“Never underestimate the power of what you do and who you are. Because are we not here for the business of saving the Earth, saving rainforests, saving deserts, saving landscapes that we love? And so all of us are doing the exact same mission, chartered with the exact same mission. It’s in our blood, it’s in our spirit, it’s in our eyes, it’s in our heart, it’s in our soul. I am a caretaker. I work for you. I work for the public. I work for the future.” Shelton Johnson, Yosemite Park Ranger

Chris Wood, NT ranger from the North York Moors proudly standing with the world's park rangers

Let’s show our support for the world’s rangers. Visit the IRF website to print off a copy of this banner, have your photo taken and show your support by sharing on the International Ranger Federation Facebook page or on twitter at thingreenline1 #worldrangerday #standwithrangers #naturesprotectors #thingreenlinefoundation #internationalrangerfederation.

To UK rangers: If you’re a ranger reading this, remember what may seem like 'just the day job' is actually vital and important in the bigger scheme of things. Think of the world as a ‘terra national park’ – looking from outer space, there are no boundaries, no state borders, no designated national park areas, just one planet. We are all doing our bit to protect it.

'I want to talk about where home is for all of us. Earth. This is our home. And I want to say this. No one, in the world, is doing more important work than rangers, looking after Earth. The Earth needs rangers. Rangers can lead the charge.' Harvey Locke, conservationist.
 

 Meeting some of the world's rangers at the World Ranger Congress in Estes Park, Colorado, USA in May 2016

‘I STAND with  you, and I stand for you, on this day and every World Ranger Day’ – Sean Willmore, President of the International Ranger Federation.

Think about supporting the work of The Thin Green Line.