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RANGERTHE MAGAZINE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION Issue 116: Autumn 2017

Countryside champions

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NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

Autumn 2017 Autumn 2017 Ranger 1 Ranger

CONTENTSChairman’s welcome .............................................................. 1

News from the frontline ....................................................... 2–3

Leptospirosis: a guide for those working in the countryside ............................................................... 4–7

Opinion: countryside champions ...................................... 8–11

News in brief .................................................................. 12–13

Profile: Dale Osborne and Watermead Country Park .................................................................. 14–15

International news .......................................................... 16–17

Reports from the IRF 4th European Ranger Congress 2017, Czech Republic .................................... 18–19

CMA contact details ............................................................. 20

CMA study days and events ................................................. 21

SUBMISSIONSWe hope that you like your new look Ranger. Do get in touch to let us know what you think.

We welcome submissions from members for inclusion in Ranger. These can include:• case studies of successful management techniques/projects• scientific articles on relevant countryside management topics • news from your managed area or region• letters about relevant topics• opinions about current issues

PHOTOGRAPHSWe are always looking for good quality images to use to illustrate our articles or simply to showcase the variety of habitats, flora and fauna in our country. We also are interested in seeing images of countryside management staff doing their everyday jobs. If you are a keen photographer and are happy to share your pictures, please get in touch.

The deadline for the next issue is 31 October 2017.

For more information and to submit your articles and photos, email Liz Bourne at [email protected].

Opinions expressed in Ranger are not necessarily those of the Countryside Management Association.

EDITORIALI must begin with a big ‘thank you’ to new Ranger editor, Liz Bourne, for putting together this new look magazine with some fresh, and potentially regular, features such as ‘Opinion’ and ‘News in brief’. I know Liz is keen to hear what you think and she’d welcome your ideas for the next edition.

The landmark formation of the European Ranger Federation in May rightly figures in this edition too. Our own Roger Cole and Ian Brooker were each elected to positions in the new Federation seeing the CMA continuing to take a positive role, and make a difference, alongside ranger colleagues across Europe.

I know you’ll have all had a busy summer. I also know you’ll certainly have touched the lives of residents, visitors, families and volunteers through your work. Ian Rotherham sums up his ‘Opinion’ article highlighting the need for two crucial things: firstly, to ensure your work is well promoted to all your audiences – local communities, visitors, schools, health professionals, councillors, local businesses, MPs and, often, we need to remind our own employers. Secondly, to strive to have access to excellent, broad-ranging training that provides the multiplicity of skills the countryside management professional needs.

CMA aims to provide some help on both counts. There is someone out there who’s a whizz at putting together press releases and who knows just when to push projects or news to the media. If that person is you, or if you know someone, do give myself or anyone on the Board a call to discuss informally; you’ll get lots of support.

The review of CMA accreditation is underway too. You’ll all receive a questionnaire soon. Please do take the few minutes it takes to respond and give the review group your views. CMA needs to offer accreditation that is relevant to all of us in the profession, highly valued by those who gain it and, importantly, by those who employ us.

Last but not least, the November Conference is fast approaching and I look forward to seeing 50 or so colleagues swapping experiences (and stories!) in the stunning surroundings of Snowdonia National Park. Book your place through Eventbrite (see the link on the CMA website).

Do contact Liz with your comments on the new look Ranger and I wish you all a productive and enjoyable autumn/winter ‘in the field’.

With very best wishes,Linda

Autumn 20172 Ranger Autumn 2017 Ranger 3

NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINENEWS FROM OUR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

WEST MIDLANDSTwo interesting study days have been held, organised by Helen Edwards, the representative for Birmingham and the Black Country. The first, on 25 April, was led by West Midlands bat researcher, Pete Burke. He has been studying around 50 variables on over 1,000 bat boxes in the region. He has found some surprising results that he has applied at Saltwells Nature Reserve in Dudley which has increased take-up by 33 per cent. The second study day was led by Professor Ian Trueman and the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust. They outlined the science, tricks and pitfalls of creating hay meadows that they have learnt in the area over the past 30 years. Sites were visited that have been created over the past few years as part of the wider Nature Improvement Area programme. A third study day is to take place in Dudley this winter, looking at managing a nationally important nature conservation site within a challenging urban setting. Contact [email protected] for more details.

SOUTH EASTA great crested newt survey training morning was held in Warfield, Berkshire, where the second highest number of them were recorded at the reserve. Unfortunately, a study day at Horsell Common Preservation Society had to be cancelled. The plan had been to look at their new biomass boiler and operation, to see how they process the waste wood from their conservation activities into heating their new wetland centre. The hope is to run this again this winter.

Introducing the CMA representative for the south east region: Richard Westwood

My early passion for wildlife conservation started as a teenager when I volunteered with my local work party on Silchester Common. This led me to study Countryside and Environmental Management at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, where a third year in industry working at Wokingham Borough Council helped me secure my first job after graduation. After an enjoyable few years at Wokingham learning the various practical skills needed as a ranger, I moved for a short period to West Berkshire Council based on Greenham Common. Being involved in the management of such an historic site of Britain’s Cold War past was a fantastic experience. In 2013 I moved to my current role as Countryside Ranger at Bracknell Forest Council, where I manage a number of reserves, one notable site being Wildmoor Heath which is part of the Thames Basin Heath Special Protected Area.

When I’m not at work or representing my local area as a councillor on Silchester Parish Council. I enjoy cruising and racing yachts in the Solent. I’m currently training to take part in the Round Britain and Ireland Race next year.

I look forward to promoting the CMA in the south east and meeting other countryside professionals in the region.

Richard is currently looking for members to join him on a south east committee. If you are interested, please get in touch with him at [email protected].

NORTH WESTCelebrating World Ranger Day in the Lake DistrictPaul Farrington, NT Area Ranger, South Lakes

The desire to do something bigger to celebrate World Ranger Day stemmed from a visit that four of our Lakes rangers made to the European Ranger Congress in Litoměřice in the Czech Republic back in May (see p18–19 for a full report).

We were lucky enough to be selected for a NT travel bursary to represent the Trust at the Congress where we met rangers from many countries. It was an inspirational experience, even for a crusty old dog like myself (25 years’ service this year!), meeting people in the same line of work.

At the congress we were also reminded about the number of rangers that die in the line of duty each year. 108 Rangers died in the last 12 months, nearly half of them murdered by poachers, but also many were killed by wild animals, wild fires and drowning. This adds a poignancy to our World Ranger Day celebrations, but overall the day is about celebrating the great work that conservation organisations do on a daily basis.

After discussion with the Lake District National Park, Forestry Commission, RSPB and Cumbria Wildlife Trust, we decided we would work together on a series of conservation tasks with a ‘social gathering’ later in the day.

Thirty rangers/volunteers and other staff were involved in work on the west shore of Lake Windermere, weeding a newly planted broadleaved tree plantation, removing a redundant deer fence and repairing a wall along a fenced-off beck. The work was important but just as important was the opportunity to chat with staff from the different organisations, swap experiences and thoughts on the challenges that we all face.

At the end of the day we were ferried across the lake to Brockhole, the Lake District National Park visitor centre. There, we had a barbeque in the evening sunshine and free use of the watersports facilities.

There was something particularly special about working alongside our other neighbour organisations, and it seemed particularly appropriate so soon after the World Heritage Site designation for the Lake District, a bid that we all supported.

I hope that this celebration will be the first of many in years to come. Being an NT Ranger is a privilege and a reward in itself but it’s good to take time to remember that we are all part of a bigger family.

WORLD RANGER DAY THIS YEAR AND IN THE FUTUREChristopher Lockyer, Assistant Ranger, National Trust (Peak District)

In the highly reactive role of a ranger few events can be planned to the day. World Ranger Day however is one such event, giving us the opportunity to promote the outstanding work rangers undertake both locally and around the world, whilst commemorating those of our ranger family who, in the line of duty, protect our shared natural heritage and make the greatest of sacrifices.

This year is also the 10th and 25th anniversaries of The Thin Green Line Foundation (TTGLF) and International Ranger Federation; these organisations are testament to the strength and cooperative nature intrinsic to the ranger community. These milestones made World Ranger Day 2017 especially meaningful. Across the UK rangers ran an excellent array of activities raising awareness of and funds for fellow rangers, who in the face of adversity don’t receive the support or equipment they require. These activities involved ‘Ranger Weeks’, talks, water sports, butterfly walks and children’s activities along with attending events and shows to raise awareness of rangers and their role. This saw substantial sums raised for TTGLF whilst publicising the invaluable work of rangers and the sacrifices that can entail. I wish to extend huge heartfelt thanks to everyone that raised funds for TTGLF, ran, participated in or attended an event and to those who promoted rangers via social media and any other methods.

Sadly the challenges facing rangers show little sign of abating; as such it is vital that we continue building on the successes of this year, celebrating rangers with impactful, informative and inspirational events. The European Ranger Congress enabled discussing many ideas for how to continue growing World Ranger Day. This involved promoting the role of rangers through the news media, running events; such as ‘be a ranger for a day’, concerts, film screenings, tours or guided walks which can attract many people. Whilst getting celebrities to ‘stand with rangers’ could reach many more individuals; the only limit is your imagination.

A defining strength of rangers is our close community. Utilising this can provide new opportunities, whether it’s a collaborative event with another ranger service, or discussing experiences at the CMA conference. We have the opportunity to aid each other in promoting the role of rangers and supporting our colleagues across the globe.

Dartmoor National Park rangers on World Ranger Day

YOUR NEWSDo you have interesting projects, successful schemes and fun events in your region? Contact the editor at [email protected] with your submissions for these pages.

NEWS FROM


What is Leptospirosis?Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria from the Leptospira genus. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted to humans from animals. A wide number of mammals act in its transmission, but rodents, and especially rats, are the most important (Faine, 1982). Livestock are also able to harbour the infection. When bacteria gain entry into the human body they rapidly multiply, then spread, causing many of the symptoms of the illness we know as leptospirosis. The severity and range of symptoms vary greatly between sufferers depending on age, general health and the type of leptospirosis causing infection. Some sufferers experience merely a flu-like illness, but in a small proportion of cases the disease progresses to become much more serious (Bharti et al. 2003). If left unchecked it can affect the liver and kidneys and ultimately the lungs. When the disease progresses into this more severe stage then death occurs in a significant number of cases.

The cycle of infectionLeptospires cycle between various mammal hosts and the environment.

Reservoir mammals: Leptospires survive in the renal tubules of infected carrier animals (ECDC, 2016). Although these may cause the host no detrimental effect, infected animals continue to excrete leptospires in their urine. They can do so for weeks or months (ECDC, 2016). A wide range of mammalian species can act as carriers, including livestock and rats. A high proportion of rats have been shown to harbour the infection (Vinetz et al. 2001). In a study, around 14 percent of rats in the United Kingdom were found to harbour the infection (Webster et al. 1995). Leptospires are emitted during urination and contaminate water and soil where the carrier has been active.

Leptospires in the environment: Leptospires can survive significant lengths of time in the environment (Waitkins, 1984). They are surprisingly long lasting and resistant, but persist longest when conditions are warm and moist (ECDC, 2017). Leptospirosis is commonest in tropical areas as here the bacteria can survive longest. Areas around water are particularly favourable to the survival of leptospires as they do not tolerate desiccation well.

Transmission to man: Humans become infected through contact with infected urine or through contact with soil and water that has been contaminated (ECDC, 2017). Humans

usually become infected by leptospires entering the body through cuts and abrasions or through the conjunctiva after eye rubbing (Levett 2001). It is also possible to ingest leptospires in water. Contamination of water supplies can lead to outbreaks where many people become infected. There is some debate as to whether leptospires can infect humans through unbroken skin in submerged water.

SymptomsLeptospirosis is notorious for the wide range of symptoms sufferers experience (Plank and Dean 2000; Levett 2001). This makes making a correct diagnosis difficult. Leptospirosis is often confused with other illnesses such as influenza viral illnesses, pyrexia and meningitis (Bharti et al. 2003). Once infected there is an incubation period of between 2 and 30 days before symptoms develop (ECDC, 2017).

Mild infection: The mild form of the illness is known as anicteric leptospirosis (Levett, 2001). Initially the sufferer undergoes an acute illness. Typically within a few days of infection a sufferer suddenly develops flu-like symptoms including a fever, headaches and muscle pain. Conjunctivitis is often cited as a characteristic feature of leptospirosis, but this is only seen in about a third of cases, thus its absence does

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not imply one is not suffering this condition (Bharti et al. 2003). In this stage the bacteria has entered the body and is multiplying rapidly.

After a few days these symptoms may clear up. This is now the immune stage of the disease when the body begins to fight an immune response to the infection. However leptospires are now produced in the urine. The sufferer may become a carrier for some weeks or months; continuing to pass the infection on in their urine.

Severe infection: If unlucky the sufferer may experience the more severe ‘Icteric’ form of leptospirosis (Levett, 2001). The sufferer experiences the same initial symptoms similar to flu and then appear to recover. However, then they enter a following stage known as the ‘leptopisaec’ phase. The sufferer again becomes ill and gets progressively worse. This stage is classically characterised by symptoms such as jaundice, meningitis, and liver failure (Bharti et al. 2003). Other symptoms such as fever, headaches and muscle pain also return.

The sufferer is said to be experiencing Weil’s disease when the liver is damaged leading to jaundice. Renal failure may also occur in a significant number of cases. The most severe form of leptospirosis is when severe pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome develops; here the lungs are affected and begin to haemorrhage. The patient experiences chest pain and difficulty breathing.

Treatment and diagnosisDiagnosis is usually performed using a laboratory test known as Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT test) which identifies the molecular surface proteins on the leptospires, or through an ELISA test searching for the antibodies to the infection. However, such tests require laboratory expertise and thus take time. More recently genetic diagnosis using PCR techniques have been developed; these are much quicker and may allow much swifter confirmation of infection (Levett et al. 2005, Ahmed et al. 2009). Leptospirosis being a bacterial infection can be treated using a range of antibiotics. The most common antibiotic used being Doxycycline which can be taken orally twice daily for a week (Bharti et al. 2003).

Who gets Leptospirosis?Numbers: Public Health England records the number of laboratory confirmed cases of leptospirosis in England and Wales. In 2016 a total of 72 people tested positive for leptospirosis (PHE, 2017), in 2015 there were 63 confirmed cases.

Traditional risk factors: Traditionally leptospirosis was associated with those engaged in hard outdoors-based occupations such as coal miners, sewer workers, navvies and farmers (Waitkins, 1986). Industrial changes mean that few coal miners or navvies continue to be infected. However, farmers remain an important group still at risk.

New risk groups: A notable feature is the increase in the number of people contracting leptospirosis through recreational activities. In 2016 a total of 26 people fell ill with leptospirosis following exposure to natural freshwater. Many of these would have been engaged in recreational pursuits such as angling. Leptospirosis has been seen in canoeists (Shaw, 1992), triathletes (CDC, 1998), and white water rafters (Wilkins et al. 1988).

Seasonality: The condition is mainly caught in the summer months; this is probably because these are the warmest months which favours the survival of leptospires in the environment, but also because people are most active outside during this season (PHE, 2017). Men are more likely to become infected than women; in 2016 a total of 57 men compared to 15 women were affected.


The authorMark Walker is a disease biologist from Sheffield who has previously studied ticks and Lyme disease.

ReferencesAhmed, A., Engelberts, M.F., Boer, K.R., Ahmed, N. & Hartskeerl, R.A. (2009). Development and validation of a real-time PCR for detection of pathogenic Leptospira species in clinical materials. PLoS One, 4(9), p.e7093

Bharti, A.R., Nally, J.E., Ricaldi, J.N., Matthias, M.A., Diaz, M.M., Lovett, M.A., Levett, P.N., Gilman, R.H., Willig, M.R., Gotuzzo, E. and Vinetz, J.M. (2003). Leptospirosis: a zoonotic disease of global importance. The Lancet infectious diseases, 3(12), 757-771.

European Centre for Disease Control. 2017. Leptospirosis.htttp://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/leptospirosis/Pages/Factsheet.aspx#sthash.2DxQtFiA.dpuf

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (2016). Annual Epidemiological Report 2016 – Leptospirosis. [Internet]. Stockholm: ECDC; 2016. Available from: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/leptospirosis/Pages/Annual-epidemiological-report-2016.aspx

Faine, S. and World Health Organization (1982). Guidelines for the control of leptospirosis.

Health and Safety Executive. (2016). Leptospirosis: Are you at risk? Accessed from:http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg84.pdf

Levett, P.N. (2001). Leptospirosis. Clinical microbiology reviews, 14, 196–326.

Levett, P.N., Morey, R.E., Galloway, R.L., Turner, D.E., Steigerwalt, A.G. and Mayer, L.W. (2005). Detection of pathogenic leptospires by real-time quantitative PCR. Journal of medical microbiology, 54(1), pp.45-49.

NHS Choices. (2014). Preventing Leptospirosis.http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Leptospirosis/Pages/Prevention.aspx

Plank, R. & Dean, D. (2000). Overview of the epidemiology, microbiology, and pathogenesis of Leptospira spp. in humans. Microbes infections, 2 ,1265-76

Waitkins S. (1984) Maintenance of Leptospira. in Maintenance of microorganisms (eds.) Kirsop B. E., Snell J. J. S. Academic Press, London, U.K, pp 57–62.

Webster, J.P., Ellis, W.A. & Macdonald, D.W. (1995). Prevalence of Leptospira spp. in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) on UK farms. Epidemiology and infection, 114(01), 195-201.

Vinetz, J.M. (2001). Leptospirosis. Current opinions in infectious disease, 14, 527–38.

PreventionA number of simple precautionary measures can reduce the risk of becoming infected with leptospirosis. The Health and Safety Executive provides information for those engaged in certain occupations who may be exposed to leptospirosis through their daily work (HSE, 2016). The National Health Service also provides advice on preventing infection (NHS Choices, 2014).

Avoid possibly contaminated sites: A simple precaution is to avoid those areas where rodents and thus the leptospira bacteria are likely to be present. Rats are likely to be attracted to open sewers, drains, rubbish tips, and disused canals.

Reduce vermin populations: The Health and Safety Executive recommends taking action to control the population of vermin such as rats (HSE 2016). Rodent populations can be kept in check through general tidiness, proper secure storage of foodstuffs, prompt removal of litter and through active control of rodent populations (Faine 1982).

Treatment of cuts and grazes: The NHS advises that cuts and grazes should be thoroughly cleaned and then covered with waterproof dressings, especially if you intend to be active in the countryside or around water. If you have obvious cuts or areas of open skin, be aware that these may act as entry points for infection.

Hygiene: If you have worked outside, and especially in areas where rodents might be active, then ensure you wash your hands. Despite this being common sense, it is surprising how often it is omitted. Avoid putting dirty hands into your mouth. Additionally if you have been active around open water the NHS advises that you wash thoroughly, even showering if needed (NHS Choices, 2014).

Protective clothing: If you are aware that you are working in an area where rodents may be active then wear appropriate protective clothing. Gloves should be worn when handlingpotentially soiled objects. Other protective clothing should be worn as required.

Awareness: An important part of avoiding leptospirosis is simple awareness that it may be a potential danger. If you become ill after working in locations where it is present, then be aware that leptospirosis may be the cause. Treatment is more effective the earlier it is started, thus spotting the signs and seeking appropriate medical advice in a timely manner isimportant in preventing complications.

SummaryAlthough relatively uncommon leptospirosis is a condition that those active in the countryside should be aware of. Places harbouring rat populations may be contaminated with leptospires. If activity in possibly contaminated areas is unavoidable then measures to prevent infection should be taken. These include appropriate protective clothing, correct dressing of wounds, and general good standards of hygiene. If symptoms consistent with infection occur following activity in possible risk areas then leptospirosis should be considered and appropriate medical advice sought immediately.

Read the full article online at: countrysidemanagement.org.uk/contact/members-area/


OpinionCountryside and environmental ‘champions’ for grassroots conservation

By Ian D. Rotherham, Sheffield Hallam University ([email protected])

Delivering excellence for communities and countrysideAlthough many local authority countryside services have been axed or at least cut hard, there are still many excellent projects being done. Indeed, there are plenty of wonderfully dedicated and committed individuals in our NGOs. However, for the most part, even these project champions are mostly lower paid and with less professional support than when or if they worked for local authorities. Interestingly, most do not identify themselves as ‘countryside managers’ and may not have had even basic training in some of the skills that would in the past be taken for granted. Indeed, in the absence of agency-supported training and of university-level courses, it is difficult to see where training and skills may be fostered in the current political climate.

There is a further twist in the route of outreaching services to NGOs that must themselves seek ephemeral funding pots such as Heritage Lottery grants or other finance. Unfortunately, because of the nature of such cyclical funding of projects, much of the money ends up diverted from delivery. This seems somewhat ironic given that a major driver for cuts to local authority services is often claimed to be ‘efficiency’. A lot of the resource is actually gobbled up in long-winded grant applications, advertisement and recruitment on a three-yearly treadmill. Each three-year project proposal must be different and distinctive from what went before, and ‘core’ services are not supported. Having discussed this with senior colleagues at the Heritage Lottery, they accept the problem but seem powerless to change. For each time-limited initiative, probably a half to two-thirds of the time is taken up by grant applications, by settling in, by promotional activities or finally by staff looking to move on to their next assignment; in other words relatively little on actually delivering services. This doesn’t diminish what is achieved, only to make the point that such projects are not a like-for-like replacement for lost local authority services.

Transforming landscapes, lives, communities and economiesA broad range of studies over a twenty-year timespan show how local government countryside services provided robust, economically successful models of transformation in both rural and urban areas. In many cases these projects triggered major economic renewal and business opportunities; but business follows opportunity rather than creating it. The initial steps, particularly in more challenging socio-economic environments, have to be through public investment. This investment is in key infrastructure, and in skills and core support, and the benefits will then follow.

With core series supported, and targeted investment in projects, benefits then flow to business and local people through employment and opportunities. Additionally, but rarely flagged up, money also passes back into the government’s coffers through VAT and employment tax revenues etc, and of course associated with health and other public service savings. (With countryside management services we are healthier, fitter, better educated and more socially aware and committed; illness, vandalism and anti-social behaviour reduce.) This all makes eminent economic and financial sense.

Nevertheless, this sensible, pragmatic and very cost-effective approach to helping solve many social, economic and environmental problems has not been supported in recent years – or at least not often. In the more visionary and even experimental times of the 1960s and 1970s, support was forthcoming but not today. So, here we have a major problem at the core of misguided austerity cuts to core services. The cost of environmental investment is borne by agencies and local government, but they don’t derive associated income unless central government grants it. Yet without these services, the other benefits including private business growth don’t happen. For a society that does not like paying taxes, there’s the rub, since cost and benefit are placed with different organisations and sectors. We all pay the resultant costs of ‘lack of investment’ through additional demand for health care, for lost ecosystem services (such as flood risk and climate mitigation), through antisocial behaviour and vandalism, through littering and reduced environmental quality. There are also costs for educational opportunities, especially in poorer areas, since countryside projects and services delivered major value in terms of educational access and support.


Squaring the circleA simple solution to such problems is that tax revenues from increased economic activity and diminished social costs associated with countryside management should be reinvested to maintain or enhance service delivery and increase benefits. Nevertheless, it seems that current politicians, the media and consequently, perhaps most of the public, want to cut agencies and local government to save ‘wasting taxpayers’ money’. They do not see, and are not told about, the hidden social and economic costs of such a strategy. I live near the Peak National Park and witness the huge numbers of affluent tourists and leisure visitors swarming to the area every weekend, week in, week out. The associated annual expenditure in the area is massive; supporting untold jobs in hospitality and retail across and around the Park. With this the case, is it not absurd that the Peak Park’s budget is cut year by year to a point of near collapse? In the Peak District, one of the most visited national parks in the world, core services such as the former regional and national education and training centre at Losehill Hall has long since gone as a public-benefit service. Rangers, ecologists, archaeologists, farm advisers and others are not far behind; and yet the media report almost nothing of this scandal.

Today’s environmental threats and challengesAs a society we face massive environmental challenges associated with urbanisation, population growth and climate change issues. If we want to benefit from sustainable countryside (urban and rural), then we must pay for it or ecosystem services fail and we pay anyway. This situation is exemplified by recent catastrophic flooding which demonstrated the extreme fragility of the modern British environment. The causes of such major breakdown seem pretty clear to many scientists and environmental campaigners, and yet we continue to overuse and over-exploit our restricted environmental capital. Countryside managers and rangers should be at the forefront of responding to these challenges as the vital interface between local communities and their environment; but when we need them the most, they will not be there. Our present environmental situation is clearly unsustainable. However, despite the rhetoric from politicians after major floods in 1998, 2000, 2007 and 2008, 2013, 2015 and 2016, the problems have yet to be addressed in the round. Politicians, planners, developers and decision-makers seem disconnected from the inconvenient truth in the nature of the problems and scale of the challenges. Trapped within myopic, short-term timeframes they cannot plan for genuinely sustainable, long-term futures. As custodians of the environment we ‘borrow’ today’s resources from future generations and the rest of the biosphere. Since the 1960s, countryside managers and rangers have been at the very core of such issues and society’s responses to them. Now, more than ever before, these dedicated professionals are needed to help society deliver sustainability. For several decades, they have been so effective, that the need for them today is not always as apparent as it was during the 1960s post-industrial declines and the emergence of ‘new towns’. However, across the country, connecting with local communities, these professionals would now be planning ways to help combat the excesses of flood impacts and other problems at local levels. But they have mostly gone, and are unlikely to recover anytime soon. Worst of all, the decades of skills, knowledge and awareness, may also have been lost.

Why should we care and what are the solutions?Over several decades, countryside managers and rangers alongside local government ecologists have delivered practical outputs to environmental problems. They have changed the world for the better. Such professionals have been the interface between research and policy, and practical implementation. Indeed, many of our leading ecologists and environmental scientists have been inspired to their career choice because of a charismatic warden or ranger at their local country park or nature reserve. Inspiration and education are parts of the countryside manager toolkit. Hugely dedicated and highly trained, these professionals have been the uncelebrated foot-soldiers of conservation since the 1960s. Today, when we need them most, many have gone and will not be replaced. The ‘bigger society’ has shrunk a little.

The backdrop to this situation is not all bad, and indeed, the NGO bodies such as the RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts, the Woodland Trust, the National Trust and others have grown dramatically over the same period. Together, these organisations and their staff and volunteers deliver significant parts of the ‘countryside management portfolio’ with considerable success. However, as noted earlier, what they offer is good, but different and distinctive from the local government service. Also, as explained earlier, even privatising services out to NGOs still requires funds, and I know of several Wildlife Trusts, for example, that are currently struggling to make ends meet. Delivering countryside services is not free, and also the interface between ‘users’ and ‘conservation’ requires careful consideration and balance. This is difficult to achieve if you have staff on short contracts and with limited experience having to shift towards easy money from outdoor leisure at the expense of nature, for example. There has also been the emergence over recent decades, of a rich depth of local community environmental and ‘friends’ groups. These groups are frequently seen as a ‘free’ resource to deliver countryside work. However, whilst they can deliver a lot of good stuff, they often rely on professional support from their local authority and in the past, on funding from that source too. A take-home message for politicians is that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Some concluding thoughtsIt is unlikely that countryside services that have been cut will be reinstated any time soon; but those good services which remain must be secured. In part, this means making the economic arguments more robustly, and it is fair to say that the sector has been very poor at doing this. At the same time, and this is a chicken and egg situation, the services need political champions and those are best cultivated by charismatic and experienced officers – exactly the sort who have just retired! However, without champions the countryside services will continue to decline. To fill the gap, at least in part, the key NGOs will need to step up to the plate; and the same arguments apply

in terms of political support. A big challenge for the future of NGO countryside workers will be to achieve the same levels of professional training, status, and recognition as the countryside management sector in its prime. For individuals, this may mean recognising that they are not merely nature reserve wardens, but ‘countryside managers’. For the organisations they too need to recognise the need to have nationally recognised career progressions, acceptable professional status and training, and other support. The downside for some organisations is that to achieve the necessary professional standards, they may have to pay the requisite salaries comparable with those in the public sector, and to provide training and membership support through bodies such as the Countryside Management Association.

Inspiration and education are parts of the countryside manager toolkit.

What do you think?

Do you agree with Ian Rotherham? Send us your

thoughts and we might print them in the next issue of Ranger.

Email ranger@countrysidemanagement.

org.uk.

Autumn 2017 Ranger 13 Autumn 201712 Ranger

NEWS IN BRIEFALGAE APP TO REDUCE PUBLIC HEALTH RISKSThe Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) are asking citizen scientists to help monitor harmful algal blooms which can threaten public health as well as the lives of dogs, cattle, birds and fish.

The app, ‘Bloomin’ Algae’ has been created in collaboration with the Environment Agency, Scottish Protection Agency, Public Health England and Health Protection Scotland, and enables the user to submit a photo of the bloom and state what activity takes place at the location so that the potential risks to people and animals can be gauged.

Blue-green algae occurs naturally in lakes, ponds, canals, rivers and reservoirs and are most common during the summer and early autumn. However, they can pose a major health risk to humans since they produce toxins that can lead to skin rashes, eye irritations, fever and muscle pain. Animals can also experience problems if they drink from affected water sources.

ORDNANCE SURVEY RELEASES OPEN DATASET AND FREE MAP OF BRITAIN�S GREENSPACESIn July, a government initiative made it easier for people to find and access greenspaces with the release of a new database and interactive digital map identifying accessible recreational and leisure greenspace in Great Britain.

The free map is delivered by Ordnance Survey (OS) and contains data that can be used immediately for free through OS Maps. This comprehensive map is also available as an open dataset – OS Open Greenspace (www.os.uk/opengreenspace) – for communities, businesses and developers to create products and services that will encourage healthier and greener lifestyles.

The dataset can be viewed via OS Maps at www.osmaps.uk/greenspace.

BACK FROM THE BRINK

Money from the National Lottery will be used to address the needs of 20 threatened species facing extinction in 150 key habitats and landscapes across England. Species include the shrill carder bee and the northern dune tiger beetle. The funding will also support another 200 species that are under threat, including the hedgehog, large garden bumblebee and pine marten.

Back from the Brink is the first coordinated effort of its kind, bringing together a range of charities and conservation bodies to save threatened species. In addition, around 5,500 volunteers will be recruited and taught new skills.

Natural England’s Chairman, Andrew Sells said: ‘Back from the Brink represents a groundbreaking approach to nature conservation and we are extremely grateful to HLF for having the vision and generosity to support it.

‘This is a dynamic partnership which draws on people-power to help save some of our most important species. Natural England strongly supports this approach and is delighted to be part of it.

‘Bringing these species back from the brink cannot be achieved by one group alone. But by pooling resources and developing new ideas, this project will add vital momentum to all our efforts.’

The programme is a collaboration of between Natural England, Amphibian and Reptile Trust, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and RSPB.

UK WILDFIRE CONFERENCE 2017The biennial conference, hosted this year by Dorset’s Urban Heaths Partnership on 7 and 8 November, and overseen by the England and Wales Wildfire Forum and the Scottish Wildfire Forum, will bring together wildfire practitioners from all over the UK and beyond. The overall theme this year is ‘Wildfire resilience in a UK context’, and speakers and workshops will be investigating how to make UK homes, communities and the landscape more wildfire-resilient in the future.

For more information on the conference, including how to register and book accommodation, visit www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/uk-wildfire-conference.

The app can be downloaded from Android and Apple app stores.

OPINIONTHE LYNX EFFECTLynx have been absent from our forests for around 1,300 years, but the Lynx UK Trust has recently announced that they will apply for a trial reintroduction for six Eurasian lynx into Kielder Forest, Northumberland.

Will the lynx bring balance to the ecosystem, keeping deer populations in check and bringing tourism income to the area? Or do you think that sheep and domestic pets will be preyed on and additional visitors will cause problems for the local communities?

Email [email protected] with your views.

Photo credit. Chris Godfrey Wildlife Photography

Photo credit. Stephen Dalton, from Spiders published by A&C Black


PROFILE Each issue of Ranger magazine, we will pro�le a ranger, their park and a volunteer. If you would like to be featured, contact [email protected].

This issue, we look at Dale Osborne and Watermead Country Park in Leicestershire.

Name: Dale Osborne

Position: Senior Parks Ranger, Watermead Country Park

Years working in countryside management: 27 years

Training or workshop you would recommend: practical experience of the management of various habitats.

Area in which you work: full management of Watermead Country Park and nature reserves.

Area of expertise/interest: habitat creation; management of all our different habitats; studying of wildlife; and sharing with other rangers and interested parties.

Who’s inspired you? The natural world inspired me from a very early age, though it was my father who was instrumental in bringing to it to my attention.

Current issues that affect you: as for most rangers in the world, it is a lack of funding that restricts what we can effectively do, as well as a lack of conservation awareness.

What would make a difference? There are many individual things that could make a difference – more funds, more staff, a better understanding of what conservation is about. I should point out that Leicestershire County Council has been very supportive with the projects that I have come up with and with what I am trying to achieve for the Park.

Successful project: we did a project a couple of years ago to help harvest mice, that inhabit the Park. We put out an appeal for tennis balls that we wanted to use as artificial nests in the reedbeds. We bargained on receiving around 100 balls. We actually had nearer 800 donated, which we found most encouraging!

BackgroundCreated in the 1980s and covering 250 acres, Watermead Country Park, north of Leicester, is a network of artificial lakes created from old gravel workings along the River Soar. The Park is set within the Soar Valley flood plain, so the habitats are indicative of such an area. These include reedbeds, wet woodland carr, marshland, flower meadows, open water, willow and alder woodland, rivers and ponds.

SpeciesThere are quite a few key species to be found within the Park, including bittern, kingfisher, sand martin, hobby, twelve species of warbler, otter, three species of shrew, harvest mouse, various species of dragonflies, moths and butterflies, norfolk reed, corn flower, corn cockle, corn marigold, cowslip, ragged robin and many more.

VisitorsThere are approximately 200,000 visitors per year. Facilities include toilets, car parking, bird hides, animal sculptures, fishing lakes, sailing and windsurfing waters, and they are currently looking at ideas for a visitors’ centre/café.

IssuesThe Park is surrounded on three fronts by town and industrial centres. The Park is a small green oasis attracting a multitude of different species. Unfortunately, it also attracts a certain amount of anti-social behaviour, though this is becoming far less frequent as the Park develops.

The futureBecause of many years of dedicated work by rangers and volunteers, the Park is now becoming recognised as an important area for wildlife and people alike. Finding that balance which enables both to use and flourish is a problem the world over, though it is one that seems achievable here.

VOLUNTEERS IN THE PARKName: Richard Groom

How long have you been a volunteer for? 8 or 9 years

Why did you become a volunteer? We live close to the Park and often enjoy walking there. When we saw volunteers were needed we thought it was a good opportunity to put something back into it and do things we enjoyed at the same time.

Area of interest: generally keeping the park habitats and facilities in good condition.

Favourite task: woodland management (but I enjoy most things we do).

Least favourite task: litter picking.

Name: Joy Groom

How long have you been a volunteer for? 8 or 9 years

Why did you become a volunteer? We love walking in the Park. Volunteering in the Park is an interesting and sociable activity that we can do together. It helps to keep the Park a lovely place and helps us to keep active.

Area of interest: general park maintenance.

Favourite task: coppicing and scrub clearing.

Least favourite task: reed raking.

WATERMEAD COUNTRY PARKNorth Leicestershire County Council


INTERNATIONALWORLD RANGER DAY CELEBRATED ACROSS THE PLANET

With the aim of celebrating the work that rangers do, telling the world about their valued work and remembering those who have died in the line of duty, World Ranger Day is honoured on 31 July each year. Some countries pay more attention to it than others, but when rangers celebrate, they know how to do it in style!

This July/August a team from the Queen Elizabeth Parks Project (QEPP), a ranger-centric organisation based in Hampshire, visited Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and found themselves in the heart of the Uganda Wildlife Authority World Ranger Day celebrations. Although the day has been celebrated in other parts of the world for the past ten years, Uganda had never before honoured the day.

The celebrations began at the equator where members of Uganda Wildlife Authority (the government agency that conserves and manages Uganda’s wildlife), the Uganda Police Defence Force and the Queen Elizabeth Parks Project proceeded to march along the road behind a local brass band and accompanying acrobats. Stilt walkers, unicyclists and hat

jugglers led the way as the UWA rangers in full uniform and carrying their AK-47s marched along the road, open scrubland to either side, parts of which were in the grips of a bush fire.

The first destination was Kikorongo, a small town at the junction of the Kasese/Fort Portal road and a key road towards the Democratic Republic of Congo. Once there, the group joined with the local community and picked litter, stressing the importance of working together to improve the environment. The brass band plus a spot of fire breathing certainly drew the attention of the local people, who enthusiastically joined in with the rangers and project team to pick up the litter.

This was repeated to the south of the equator, in another village called Kyambura. It was here that the project members from QEPP bumped into a ranger friend who casually mentioned he was in the middle of an ivory sting. He’d heard that some ivory was for sale in the area and was about to entrap those involved.

From Kyambura, the group moved back to the UWA headquarters at Katunguru and marched past the guard of honour to the waiting crowd. There then followed a series of speeches in front of the guest of honour (a local government official) and invited members of the local community.

Representatives from UWA law enforcement department, the IRF (Jean-Pierre Jobogo from DRC), the Uganda Police Defence Force and QEPP (Steve Peach) all gave speeches, the length of which were kept in check by the MCs, the Ugandan equivalent of Ant and Dec.

In between the speeches and loud country and western music, there was a role play by rangers illustrating how they caught poachers, plus a demonstration of how to successfully catch a crocodile (sellotape is required, apparently).

There was a sombre moment when it was acknowledged that being a ranger is a dangerous job and those that have been killed or injured in the line of duty were remembered in a moment of silence and in the lighting of candles.

The ceremony ended with food and music. Rangers were also given clothing donated by Scottish rangers.

It was agreed that it was a fantastic day, involving rangers and the local community, and a great debut event.

www.queenelizabethparks.org

WAYNE LOTTER: A TRIBUTEIt is with great sadness that we report that Wayne Lotter (51), former ranger, ex-vice president of the International Ranger Federation and founding director of PAMS (Protected Area Management Solutions) was shot and killed in Tanzania on 16 August.

Wayne devoted his life to Africa’s wildlife, from working as a ranger in his native South Africa to leading the charge against poaching in Tanzania. He believed that communitieswere the best protectors of the continent’s animals. Through his work with PAMS he helped train thousands of village game scouts. His groundbreaking work in developing an intelligence-based approach to anti-poaching helped successfully reverse the rampant rates of elephant poaching facing Tanzania. However, powerful vested interests desperately tried to blacken Wayne’s name and close down the PAMS Foundation. But his work was also supported by many leading conservationists including the IRF ambassador and primatologist, Jane Goodall.

Many CMA members got to know Wayne through attending the 2012 World Ranger Congress in Tanzania. His charm and eccentric sense of humour gave him the unique abilityto make those around him constantly laugh and smile. Wayne cared deeply about the people and animals that populate this world. He died fighting for the cause he was most passionate about.

NEWS


REPORTS FROM THE IRF 4TH EUROPEAN RANGER CONGRESS 2017, CZECH REPUBLICIn May 2017, the fourth European Ranger Congress was held in Litoměřice, Czech Republic, bringing together 125 rangers from 27 countries, including Russia, Germany, Iceland, Israel and Slovakia. A number of UK rangers attended the event.

Creation of the European Ranger Federation (ERF)Roger Cole

One of the highlights of the Congress was the forming of a European Ranger Federation, primarily to give a common voice to European Rangers whilst still under the umbrella of the International Ranger Federation (IRF).

There are over 50 countries in Europe and less than half of these have national associations of rangers and others involved in managing protected areas. Thus it was felt that forming a pan-European Federation would help lift both the voice and profile of rangers across Europe. Both IRF and EUROPARC fully support this initiative.

The European Ranger Congress saw both the acceptance of the statutes of the new organisation and the proposal for a new ERF logo. A small team was elected to take things forward under the new ERF President Frank Gruetz (German Ranger Association), namely:

Secretary/Communications Officer: Emmanuel Icardo, a ranger in Gardes Nature de France (the French Ranger Association).Treasurer: Mirva Hyhko (Finland), volunteer ranger and wilderness guide.Training Officer: Hrafnhildur Ævarsdóttir (known as Habba), a ranger with the Icelandic Ranger Association.Project Office: Niki Goth, a ranger with the Swiss Ranger Association.Vice President: Roger Cole, former Head Ranger and vice-president of CMA.

The 18 voting European IRF member associations present at the Congress were then invited to sign the General Declaration cooperation agreement between their respective associations and the new European Ranger Federation. Ian Brooker signed on behalf of CMA.

The following projects were identified as priorities for the new Federation:• To formally register the new Federation as an NGO in

Germany.• To lift the profile and image of European Rangers through

marketing and communication initiatives.• To consider training programmes that might have relevance

across the European Ranger membership.• To seek potential funding or sponsorship to progress the

aims of ERF.• To encourage clustering or bringing together small groups

of countries that have similar problems or issues.• To organise the next ERF Congress in the Bavarian Black

Forest in 2020.

THROUGH THE EYES OF AN INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERNATALIA BURIANOVAI have been a full-time volunteer ranger in West Cornwall for a year now. At 23, I quit a permanent corporate job in Slovakia because I knew I wanted to be a ranger. I promoted sustainable tourism in the Italian region of Abruzzo and volunteered in the Sierra Nevada National Park in the mountains of southern Spain. I then came to the UK to do a full-time volunteer ranger placement on the wild coast of West Cornwall and guarded chough nests for the RSPB.

The Congress was a strong experience and I believe there were some important messages. What I got out of it was the bigger picture, perspective and inspiration. As Sean Willmore, the president of the IRF, said, ‘For many of you, a ranger is not what you do. It’s who you are.’

Seeing so many people so dedicated to safeguarding nature, with a passion and a vision, only made me want to do more. Rangers are important, we do important work and we are the ones on the frontline fighting for nature. In Albania, rangers were considered not important and the whole country’s ranger service was disbanded. A few years later, it had been realised that parks could not be managed without rangers, and the Albanian ranger service was reformed.

I know that being a ranger may sometimes seem frustrating. With budget cuts, lack of funding and teams being understaffed, we may feel we are not appreciated, recognised or listened to. The Congress gave me perspective. In the Czech Republic, one professional ranger on average covers a protected area of 18 km². In Slovakia, the rangers keeping a 24-hour guard on a golden eagle’s nest are casually visited by a brown bear crashing into their makeshift shelter in the middle of the night. In Spain, two rangers were shot by a poacher earlier this year. Do our issues still seem as big?

The work of a UK ranger may be mostly about managing visitors and access infrastructure to ensure that certain areas are left undisturbed, the emphasis of a German ranger’s role may be on environmental education and a Swedish ranger may be fighting wildlife crime, but our mission is the same: to protect nature and manage the interaction between the human and natural world so that we can live side by side in harmony.

In the light of recent developments, with environmental policies being abandoned, climate change being denied, ranger services being disbanded and the world being divided, we need to stand together facing our common issues and present a united front. That is what the founding of the ERF means. We only have one planet and we need to work together to protect it. Wise words were said at the Congress: ‘With the combined energy, imagination and problem-solving expertise of the rangers in the Congress room and the rangers who are behind us, we have the potential to be a really strong force.’

I hope that the 5th European Ranger Congress in the Bavarian Forest in Germany will see as many inspiring, dedicated people get together and exchange experiences and ideas. I know I will do my best to be there.


CONTACT THECMAThe Countryside Management Association supports countryside management professionals throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The [email protected]

Chair: Linda [email protected]

Vice-Chair: Mark [email protected]

Secretary: Steve Scoffin (replacement required)[email protected]

Treasurer: Alan [email protected]

Board membersDave SollySarah Gibbs

Regional committee membersEast of England: Tom Heenan [email protected]

North East England: Kevin Vigars [email protected]

North West England: Clair Payne [email protected]

South East England/London: Richard Westwood [email protected]

South West: Tim Russell [email protected]

East Midlands: Sarah Gibbs [email protected]

West Midlands: Alan Preece [email protected]

Yorkshire and Humber: Chris Wood [email protected]

Northern Ireland: Toby Edwards [email protected]

Wales: Howard Sutcliffe [email protected]

International coordinator: Ian Brooker [email protected]

Training coordinator: Janice Burley [email protected]

National Trust corporate representative: Ted [email protected]

Advocacy adviser: Lynn [email protected]

CMA administration and membership [email protected]

CMA President: Gordon MillerCMA Vice President: Roger ColePatron: Chris Baines

RANGEREditor: Liz [email protected]

Designed by Lorraine Pullen

CsideMA

RangerCMA

UPCOMING EVENTSSee countrysidemanagement.org.uk for booking details.

2017 SOUTH WEST RANGER FORUM: GREENING THE CITY AND URBAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATIONDate: 6 October Time: 9.45am–4pmLocation: Poole Farm, Leigham, DevonFreeAn introduction to greening the urban environment using the newly developed Derriford Community Park based around Poole Farm and nearby Plymouth City Council nature reserve. Includes guest speakers, Chris Avent and Tim Russell.

CHALLENGES OF MANAGING AN URBAN SITE AT WREN’S NEST NATIONAL NATURE RESERVEDate: 10 OctoberTime: 10am–2pmLocation: Wren’s Nest Nature Reserve, DudleyFree to CMA members; non-members £40Learn the techniques the warden team have used to keep the site safe, protect the ecology and geology and engage with the local community. The reserve is surrounded by several housing estates in a socially deprived area, leading to many challenges. You will also learn about its unique geological history, most notably its fossils from the Silurian era. There will be time for fossil hunting, as well as looking at the management of the limestone grasslands and underground caverns, the latter being an important hibernation site for many species of bat.

APPLYING A BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT A BUSY URBAN SHOPPING CENTREDate: 16 OctoberTime: 10am–4pmLocation: Bluewater Shopping Centre, Upper Rose Gallery, Greenhithe, Kent Free to CMA members; non-members £40 (Maximum number: 10)As the UK human population increases, immense pressure is placed on wildlife and natural environments. Urban habitat is therefore becoming more and more common. Learn more of how we

manage the pressures of balancing the needs of our resident wildlife and habitats and the guests’ expectations of access to our ‘environmental asset’.

Study days and training events are coordinated by Janice Burley. You can contact her at [email protected].

CMA CONFERENCE 2017Date: 23–23 NovemberLocation: Conwy YHA, North WalesTheme: New opportunities in the outdoors – creative opportunities to funding, partnerships and publicity

The aim of this year’s conference is to increase the understanding of different techniques for raising funds, partnership working and promotion.

The conference will include site visits in Snowdonia, discussions about crowdfunding and examples of partnership working.

[email protected] 01947 896007

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CMA NEWS

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE 2017 GORDON MILLER AWARDAre you involved in a project, initiative or innovative practice that has made or is making an outstanding contribution to countryside/urban greenspace management? Then we want to hear from you! We are now accepting nominations for the 2017 Gordon Miller Award, to be presented at this year’s CMA conference (see p21 for more details).

Nominations can be projects, initiatives or innovative practices that have resulted in positive improvements for habitats, species, the historic or cultural environment, access or people (education or interpretation). Nominations can be for employers, other organisations/groups, volunteers or individual countryside management staff.

Visit www.countrysidemanagement.org.uk for more information and the submission form.

The closing date for submissions is Monday 9 October.

A CALL TO ALL ACCREDITED MEMBERSHAVE YOU COMPLETED YOUR CPD?A reminder to all of our Accredited Members to return their CPD Submissions as soon as possible. Whilst the Accreditation Scheme is currently being reviewed and is on hold to new members, existing Accredited Member must complete and return their CPD Submissions to ensure the continuation of their accredited status. Forms are available from [email protected] and once completed should be returned to the same address.

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