history, role and duties of park rangers in protected areas ......10.20 presentation role and duties...

4/6/20 1

Vlado Vancura,

Wilderness director of the European Wilderness Society

Wednesday, 20 May 2020, 09:00 CET

(c) European Wilderness Society www.wilderness-society.org/

History, role and duties of park rangers in Protected Areas (Part 2)

1st session of the

Online Ranger training course on Tourism and Waste management in Protected Areas

of the project

co-funded by the European Outdoor Conservation Association

supported by the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection of Ukraine

4/6/20 2(c) European Wilderness Society www.wilderness-society.org/

Vlado Vancura Wilderness Academy

Introduction to Zoom for participants

4/6/20 (c) European Wilderness Society www.wilderness-society.org/ 3

• Audio settings

• Mute / unmute

• Q & A

• Like and comment on a question

• Chat

• Raising hand

• Leave the meeting

1. Training Certificate issued by Ukrainian State Environmental Academy of post-

graduates and management

I. Participate in all five training sessions

II. Pass a test after each session

2. Participation Certificate issued by European Wilderness Society

I. Participate in 4 out of 5 sessions

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Certificates


Training schedule


9.00 Greetings and introduction

9.25 Presentation on ranger history

10.10 Coffee-break

10.20 Presentation role and duties of rangers

11.00 Q&A

11.25 Breakout sessions

1) Challenges of tourism for rangers in Ukrainian protected areas

2) Ideas of ranger trainings in Ukrainian protected area

3) Role of rangers in the law enforcement of Ukrainian protected area

4) Role of rangers in nature conservation in protected areas (non-UA group)

Training schedule


12.00 Lunch break

13.00 Return to the session

13:05 Presentations of results of the four breakout rooms

13:35 Discussion round and Wrap up

14:00 Evaluation poll

14:15 Session closure

4/6/20 7(c) European Wilderness Society www.wilderness-society.org/

Park ranger as a profession

1) Requirements to become a park ranger

2) Career as a park ranger

3) Park ranger training

4) International & European Ranger Federation

5)

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Topics of this session


Requirements to become a park ranger


• Professionalism

• Commitment

• Skills

• Enthusiasm



Park rangers are the keepers and guards of our protected areas and wilderness.

Their mission is to preserve and protect this land for today and for many years to come.



Park rangers are here to educate the

conservation efforts, so future generations can enjoy these ecologically and historically significant sites.



Those interested in becoming a park ranger should begin by determining if they want to work in law enforcement and protection,

or interpretation and visitor services,

or research and monitoring.



A park ranger works to protect values and resources of the protected area.

The duties associated with this job and how the work is done may differ depending on the country and protected area, where the work takes place.



Depending on the country, park rangers may be referred to as everything from park police officers to forest rangers.

The major job classifications within this profession include a wide spectrum of expertise.

Career as a park ranger


• Volunteer

• Seasonal

• Full-time

Park ranger volunteer


As new recruits, park ranger volunteers can perform a variety of duties on a training level, which includes working under close supervision of higher-ranking park rangers to learn the duties of the job.

Park ranger volunteer


This training period often includes participating in:• Visitor services• Interpretation• Resource management training

programs• Basic law enforcement (where relevant)

Volunteer in Kalkalpen National Park


Volunteers in Kalkalpen National park provide a lot of valuable work to collect data to improve

• Visitor management (monitoring, counting, interview visitors)

• Support education and interpretation service

• Collect research and monitoring data

Seasonal park ranger


Seasonal park rangers usually work for several weeks or months and are often responsible for :

• Interpretation

• Visitor protection

• Visitor services

• Resource management

• Collecting field data

• Operating procedures



Depending on the country, size and resources of the particular park, the job description of seasonal ranger may vary

day-to-day or week-to-week, depending on the current needs of the park.



Seasonal park rangers at protected coasts are usually required to:

• Safeguard visitors

• Enforce policies and regulations regarding the safe use of the coast and implementation of coast protection



Best-practice example

for seasonal rangers on a coast:

Jasmund National Park



Park rangers working in the mountainous areas are responsible for patrolling the remote country and wilderness.

They often also deliver interpretive talks to the local community and school groups.




for seasonal rangers in the mountains:

Majella National Park

Full-time park ranger


Full-time park rangers usually work for the park management as a full-time employee with a complex portfolio of duties and responsibilities.

They usually lead and supervise the seasonal and volunteer rangers.

Full-time park ranger


Full-time park rangers usually have their own district and are fully responsible for a wide spectrum of duties.



for a ranger district system:

Borjomi Kharagauly National Park

Full time park ranger

Ranger professions


There are various systems how ranger work is organized, differing from country to country.

However, the protected areas usually employ park rangers as either

• Protection / law enforcement park rangers

or

• Cultural / interpretive park rangers.

In some parks, the law enforcement ranger is a fully commissioned law enforcement officer, who haw the authority to carry out investigations, charge penalties and also carry a firearm.

Law enforcement rangers are responsible for:

• Controlling and securing the park

• Performing emergency services

• Patrolling the parks

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Law Enforcement


Law Enforcement


Law enforcement rangers patrol on foot or with an ATV, boat, horse, snowmobile or bicycle.

They work within special mission teams like:

• Search and rescue

• Wildfire suppression

• Anti-poaching

In some countries, they have the position of a state policeman.

Law Enforcement



for law enforcement rangers:

Bialowieza Nature Reserve

Interpretive park rangers often have a distinct mission at a park.

These professionals are largely called upon to disseminate the main purpose of the protected area, but also general, historical, and scientific information to visitors.

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Interpretation and communication


Interpretive park rangers


Interpretive park rangers organize and carry out:

• Formal and informal talks

• Lectures

• Guided and self-guided tours

Many of which are aimed at:

• Youth

• School

• Community groups

Interpretive park rangers



for interpretive rangers:

Podyji National Park

Career as a ranger


Being a park ranger means:

• A life-time carrier

• Focusing on field work

• Chance to be promoted to higher management position

Career as a ranger


Practical and field experience provide excellent skills.

In the field, creativity is a key skill.

Park ranger training


Wide aspects of a park ranger career, such as law enforcement, patrol, interpretation, and interaction with locals result in:

• Requirement for rangers become more demanding

• Education, trainings and degrees for park rangers grow

Park ranger training


This growing need for well trained and experienced rangers result in a need for systematic training of rangers.

Many countries set up systems for park ranger trainings, seminars or other education options.

Government, non-profit organisations and the private sector can all be involved.

Park ranger training - Austria


Austria offers:

• Complex training with a series of courses and a final examination

• Certified Austrian National Park Ranger after completion



The training provides:

• Standardized knowledge, content, quality and scope

• Increasing qualification and high-quality service

That help participants to plan and carry out tours and other activities in a responsible manner towards nature.



Well trained and certified park rangers become:

• Ambassadors for their region

• Well prepared to present nature and landscape, history, role and meaning

• Keen to offer interesting and varied nature tours

• Linked with other rangers, the local population and a wide variety of visitor groups



Objective of the training:

• Provide comprehensive knowledge about the protected area

• General basics about ecological connectivity of nature and landscape

• Historical & present impact of diverse work of people on the landscape

• Basics of communication, nature education, interpretation

• Foundation of the legal context



Focus on gaining knowledge on:

• Ecological characteristics

• Skills in dealing with visitor safety and emergency management

• Habitat management

• Importance of non-intervention

• Communication with visitors and locals



Two-year training consists of:

• Basic module

• Advanced module

• Training events



Training framework:

• The certified course lasts 42 days

• 17 days: General part about National Parks (Basic module)

• 15 days: Site-specific content (Advanced module)

• 10 days: Protected area-specific practical part

International aspect of the park ranger work:

• Park rangers operate worldwide

• Global conservation focuses on biodiversity and park protection, where rangers play a critical role

• Park rangers have the most exposed position to understand and protect this planet's biodiversity

• Park rangers often operate in dangerous areas

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Park rangers internationally


International Ranger Federation


• Worldwide non-profit organization

• Global forum for rangers from around the world

• Represents park rangers around the world

• Goal: Raise awareness and support the work of rangers globally

• Founded in 1992 at the First World Ranger Congress in Zakopane, Poland



• Chance to share knowledge & expertise

• Communicates the unique mission of rangers worldwide

• Actively promotes and supports the formation of ranger associations around the world

• Helps rangers to be better supported and represented



• World Ranger Day every 31st of July

• Every three years, the World Ranger Congress is held

• The last one was Chitwan, Nepal 2019



The driving force behind the establishment of the International Ranger Federation was a wish to create a global

of living. The common ground for them is dedication to contribute to the protection of the global natural heritage.



International Ranger Federation defines a ranger as a key role in:

• Practical protection of protected areas

• Protected area management

• Wilderness stewardship

• Linking local communities, protected area management and visitors



European Wilderness Society

is a member of the


and

European Ranger Federation

European Ranger Federation


• European network for professional rangers

• Non-profit organisation situated in Germany

• Operates under the umbrella of the International Ranger Federation

US Ranger training for Ukrainian Ranger


Ranger academy of US Forest service 2018:

• Trail maintenance course

• Safety rules in Wilderness

• Leave no Trace

• How to interact with violators

UA Representative cenerated ideas for implementation at Carpathian Biosphere Reserve


Motivation:

Interest in protected areas and their protection

Demand:

Growing need for well educated, experienced and committed park rangers


Be aware:

• Park ranger is a competitive job

• Education and experience are crucial

So:

• Complete education requirements

• Fulfil trainings and earn any necessary licenses

How to become a park ranger


Thinking about a park ranger career?

• Research park ranger requirements for your country

• Gain experience in seasonal park ranger jobs or with volunteer work

• Many park rangers start as volunteers or seasonal employees and work their way up to permanent jobs.

1) Role of rangers in tourism in Ukrainian protected areas (facilitator Valik Voloshyn)

2) Ideas of ranger trainings in Ukrainian protected area (facilitator Olesya Petrovych)

3) Role of rangers in law enforcement of Ukrainian protected areas (facilitator Iryna Shchoka)

4) Role of rangers in nature conservation in protected areas (non UA group, facilitator Gintare Tamulyte)

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Breakout rooms


1. Facilitate discussion in the breakout room:

1. follow the discussion

2. ask suggestive questions if needed

2. Write down outcomes of the discussions on the white board or word document (e.g. via sharing the screen)

3. Support process of choosing room presenter (to present outcomes of the discussion in English)

1. or present it personally

4. Make a screenshot of the discussion outcomes.

5. Share it (via share screen ZOOM option) during following joint session.

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Instruction for facilitators


4/6/20 60

Team in Action



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Upcoming training


Tourism management in protected areas

– Time: 27th May 10:00 CET

– Stay informed on:

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More Information


• European Wilderness News

• wilderness-society.org

• European Wilderness Network

• european-wilderness.network

• Vlado Vancura Wilderness Academy

• wilderness.academy

• Youth education

• lets-get-wild.org

• European Wilderness Volunteering

• wilderness-diary.info

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