World Ranger Day is celebrated worldwide on July 31st to commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrate the work Rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage.
Let’s pause to reflect on the courage and sacrifice that Rangers make: by honoring Fallen Rangers and standing with Rangers who bravely undertake their role on the frontline of nature conservation. World Ranger Day is an International Ranger Federation initiative promoted with its official charity arm, The Thin Green Foundation.
Video by Rewild
What do you think of when you hear the word Ranger? Wildlife wardens? Forest guards? In the first of this five-part animated series narrated by Edward Norton, get to know Rangers and the issues they face.
There is no one definition of a Ranger, and they come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all play a vital role in our lives — and our future. From urban settings to suburban communities to remote areas, Rangers protect the wild. Show them your support! Join the global #RangersDeserveMore movement in partnership with the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA), @rewild, @wildlifeleaders, and @swbgconservationfund.
International Ranger Awards
The IUCN and the World Commission on Protected Areas are proud to announce the new International Ranger Awards. Developed in collaboration with the International Ranger Federation, Global Wildlife Conservation, and Conservation Allies, these awards will recognize the remarkable work of rangers in protected and conserved areas around the world. Each Awardee will receive a unique uniform patch. Their employing/supporting organization will receive US$10,000 to support their work (e.g., purchasing essential supplies or equipment, providing training, providing insurance supporting the family of a deceased ranger, and more).
World Ranger Congress
The IRF World Ranger Congress brings together Rangers from all over the world, allowing them to learn new skills, share knowledge and create partnerships. It occurs every three years in a different location, allowing host countries from each IRF region to raise the profile of Rangers locally and internationally. It will enable them to showcase their successes, identify how they’re addressing their regional challenges and share their knowledge and skills with colleagues from around the world.
Attending a congress like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many Rangers; meeting colleagues from around the world gives Rangers hope and boosts their morale. Often their jobs are located in remote and isolated areas where they don’t have a lot of contact with the world family of Rangers. They don’t usually have the opportunity to exchange stories and learn from others that may be located halfway across the world.
The World Ranger Congress is also a forum for creating recommendations on issues that affect Rangers and the work they do on the front line. These are cool challenges that come directly from Rangers, which makes the message more powerful; the recommendations are presented globally at conservation forums.The 9th World Ranger Congress was held in Nepal in 2019; the next WRC will be in the Azores in 2023.
