In honor of World Ranger Day (July 31), we bring you the story of Katica Poljak – a ranger who has spent more than two decades protecting the most precious thing we have: nature.
Being a ranger isn’t just about “guarding” nature. It’s a job that requires resourcefulness, communication, physical fitness, and a deep understanding of natural processes. Rangers are the first responders when it comes to protecting plant and animal species, preventing fires, warning visitors of danger, assisting in emergencies, and contributing to education, research, and ecosystem preservation.
In our interview with Katica Poljak, who works at the Public Institution for the management of protected areas in Zadar County “Natura Jadera”, we discovered why this job is a unique blend of science, humanity, and intuition.
From the office to the outdoor
Although she trained as an aeronautical traffic engineer and worked for a time in an insurance company office in Zagreb, Katica eventually grew tired of being indoors.
– I wanted to work in the field, and I also felt the pull to return home to Drežnik Grad, near Plitvice Lakes National Park. It didn’t take long before I found a job posting for a ranger position – back then, we were called wardens. They were looking for a woman, on a trial basis. I passed the professional ranger exam and since than have never regretted this career shift, – says Katica, who was assigned badge number 007. She may not be a secret agent, but like James Bond, she’s up against crimes – only hers are crimes against nature. Over time, her commitment to conservation deepened.
Katica’s personal motivation led her to continually expand her knowledge and skills: alongside her job, she completed a carpentry program in Karlovac, passed a hunting exam, earned certification as a tourist guide, and completed a degree in Wildlife management and nature conservation. While working at Plitvice Lakes National Park, she was actively involved in amphibian conservation projects, organizing and conducting roadside rescue activities, particularly for the fire salamander. She even wrote a professional article on the topic, which was published in the scientific journal NATURA CROATICA.
‘A job that keeps you alert and focused’
Just three months ago, Katica moved to Zadar, leaving her long-time position at Plitvice Lakes National Park to begin a new adventure at PI Natura Jadera.
– The team at the institution welcomed me warmly, and I’m glad to have another opportunity to learn something new. Since I’m now working in entirely different types of protected areas, I need to familiarize myself with regulations concerning the ecological network, marine protected areas, and ornithological reserves, – she says. We asked Katica to explain the role of a ranger more precisely. What does a ranger actually do?
According to her, the job consists of two main parts: one preventive and the other enforcement-based. The preventive aspect includes education, collaboration with locals and researchers, participation in monitoring projects, and helping develop educational trails. The enforcement side focuses on protecting and preserving ecosystem services within protected areas and ecological networks. Rangers also ensure the safety of visitors and residents and are expected to assist during emergencies.
– This is a job that always keeps you alert and focused. Just when you think you’ve mastered all the improvisation and problem-solving, something new comes along, – she adds.
‘The number of rangers is increasing each year’
From Katica’s experience, violations of the Nature Protection Act vary from year to year.
– Each year tends to stand out for a different type of offense. One year it’s more cases of illegal swimming, the next it’s unauthorized camping, entering without a ticket, or illegal construction. Similarly, regulations and laws governing the ranger service have also evolved over time, – Katica explains.
Of all the challenges faced by rangers in Croatia, perhaps the most pressing is the lack of capacity.
Although the number of rangers has been steadily increasing year after year, it’s still not enough, our interviewee explains. The diversity in size and type of protected areas and areas of ecological network, along with varying conservation goals, requires a much larger presence on the ground. At the same time, we need to look after the rangers we already have because when there are too few people covering too much territory, those in the field quickly become overwhelmed, leading to burnout and, inevitably, mistakes.
– I’d like to highlight that conditions in the profession are already improving. Discussions about a new Nature Protection Act are currently underway, and I believe they’ll help close some of the current gaps in implementation, especially when it comes to the guidelines that shape how rangers work and respond in the field, – she says.
A question of culture and mentality
In addition to the overall lack of rangers, women remain underrepresented in this field. While Katica doesn’t know the exact gender ratio, she believes the number of female rangers is on the rise – despite the challenges.
– I’ve never worked with a female colleague – it’s always been me and the male colleagues. I’ve never even had a female supervisor. I always hoped another woman would be hired or that we’d get a head female ranger. In my experience, the obstacles women face in this line of work are mostly cultural. In traditional communities, a woman doing this job can cause confusion or surprise and people ignore female rangers more often than they do male ones, – Katica explains.
But those uncomfortable moments, our interviewee believes, are exactly what women should learn to turn into their strength. A woman’s power lies in her calm, respectful, and professional presence. And to anyone considering this line of work, Katica has a clear message: stay persistent, be patient, invest in yourself, and never stop learning.
– When you equip yourself with knowledge, it becomes your shield. You have to keep searching for the right approach and the right solutions, no matter how long it takes, – Katica advises.
And where do you anchor?
As the world faces a triple crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, the role of rangers has never been more important. And women have an equal place in that story – not only for the sake of equality, but because they offer diverse and valuable perspectives in the protection of nature. We have already talked about what it’s like to be a female ranger in Croatia with Ivana Lagetar and Ivana Konjevod.
This story is part of our ongoing campaign And where do you anchor?, which aims to raise awareness of protecting marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices at sea. Through conversations with individuals like Katica Poljak and Jurica Pavičić, who don’t take the sea for granted, the campaign reminds us just how fragile our marine ecosystems are and how important it is to protect them not just with laws and policies, but with our everyday choices.
If you have a story, tip, or practice worth sharing – or know someone who could inspire others to help preserve the Adriatic – feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].