Rangers are professionals involved in safeguarding and managing protected areas. They are frontline conservation workers, playing a critical role in protecting biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage, and the rights and well-being of present and future generations.
The scope and complexity of work conducted by rangers varies around the world. They operate in a wide variety of sites under different governance and management arrangements. Beyond reacting to immediate threats to nature and biodiversity, rangers also monitor species and habitats, enforce wildlife and protected-area laws and community by-laws on the use of their land and resources, educate, and raise awareness of visitors on the importance of conservation, and aid communities to preserve their cultural values associated with protected areas. Although they play a vital role in protecting these valuable areas, their work is often undervalued. Without them, there would be more biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Current status of rangers in the world
Rangers face many challenges and obligations while often working with much risk and for little reward. A global survey of more than 7000 rangers (2019) revealed that many are underpaid, uninsured, inadequately trained, working on temporary contracts, lacking even basic equipment, and spending weeks away from home without appropriate accommodation. They watch over some of the world’s most endangered and most trafficked animals (including elephants, tigers, and rhinos) which sometimes puts their lives at risk. More than 150 rangers on a global scale lose their lives in the line of duty each year protecting wildlife and other protected areas values. World Ranger Day which is celebrated on July 31 honours these rangers along with those currently working on the frontline of conservation.
In the Study published in 2022 (Appleton, M.R., Courtiol, A., Emerton, L. et al.), authors used data from 176 countries to estimate the number of protected areas personnel. They estimated a current maximum number of 555,000 terrestrial protected area personnel worldwide (one per 37 km2), including 286,000 rangers (one per 72 km2). While experts agree that the set global target of 30% for expansion of the protected areas coverage by 2030 (Convention on Biological Diversity) is a minimum for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services, this growth will require approximately 3 million personnel (one per 13 km2), including more than 1.5 million rangers (one per 26 km2). Parallel improvements in resourcing, working conditions, and capacity are required for effective, equitable, and sustainable management.
What is the situation in Croatia?
In addition to direct nature protection tasks, rangers in Croatian protected areas also perform the organization of educational walks and other educational activities for visitors and local communities, take care of visitors’ safety, and monitor the state of protected areas’ values. Although their work is not as dangerous as in some other parts of the world, it is quite challenging and requires a lot of knowledge and skills for quality performance. Based on data from the Annual Programs of Protection, Maintenance, Conservation, Promotion, and Use of Protected Areas for 2023, the total number of rangers employed in nature protection sector is 191. This number has been slightly growing over the years. In Croatia, one ranger comes to 113 km2 of protected area (including Natura 2000 areas), which is a larger area per ranger than the global average.
Surveillance is somewhat simpler in national parks and nature parks, due to the greater number of rangers in these public institutions than in those at the county and local level (132 guards within 19 public institutions of national and nature parks; compared to 59 rangers within 26 county and local public institutions for management of protected areas), but also the spatial integrity of national and nature parks. Protected areas managed by county public institutions are scattered throughout the county, and it is often impossible to even visit them within one working day.
Recently, there has been some progress in strengthening the capacity of the rangers’ service but considering the planned increase in protection (in accordance with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030) and the necessity for more effective management, much more significant progress will be needed, especially in the surveillance and enforcement.
What is the situation in Italy?
In Italy, park rangers play a fundamental role in the management and conservation of protected areas, including national parks, regional parks, and nature reserves. Their duties are multifaceted and include surveillance activities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, protection of flora and fauna, monitoring of ecosystems, educational and awareness-raising activities aimed at the public, as well as managing access and sustainable use of natural resources. Park rangers have an in-depth knowledge of the territory, animals, and environment of the park and serve from dawn to dusk with shifts at altitude for several consecutive days. The main activity of park rangers is environmental surveillance: anti-poaching, urban planning control, activities in case of forest fires, checks on the behaviour of tourists, and controls on the abandonment of waste. The widespread presence on the territory allows for the collection of unique scientific information and data, fundamental for a series of research conducted by universities and other entities such as censuses. Furthermore, there is also a divulgative function; park rangers hold lessons in mandatory school classes, accompany visitors in the park, and offer information to tourists.
They operate in various Italian regions, as highlighted by the presence of professional figures such as park rangers in regions like Piedmont, Lombardy, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Sicily, and Abruzzo, demonstrating regional diversity in the management of protected areas. In fact, the figure of the park ranger is mainly present in national parks, especially in recent years, unlike other parks, particularly regional ones, which have few resources and where surveillance is entrusted to the Carabinieri Forestry Corps. This body operates under the direction of the General Commander of the Carabinieri Corps and closely collaborates with the Ministry of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Policies, and the Ministry of the Environment for its activities.
The Command is divided into four main departments: the Carabinieri Command for Forest and Park Protection, coordinating forest units; the Carabinieri Command for Biodiversity Protection, responsible for conserving nature reserves and applying CITES; the Carabinieri Command for Environmental Protection and Ecological Transition, tasked with combating pollution and environmental degradation; and finally, the Carabinieri Command for Agri-food Protection, dedicated to oversight in the agricultural and fishing sector, ensuring the proper use of community funding and the quality of food products.
These departments work together to ensure the protection and conservation of Italy’s environment and natural resources, developing complex investigations and conducting checks to prevent and combat illegal activities.
Conclusion
Although there are significant differences in the roles and contexts of nature conservationists across Croatia, Italy, and at the global level, one undeniable fact remains: their dedication to protecting our natural world is of high importance. Despite varying landscapes, regulations, and challenges, they share a common purpose – to preserve biodiversity, safeguard ecosystems, and promote environmental conservation. We hope that their dedication and work will be increasingly recognized and appreciated in the future.
This article was produced as part of the EFFICIENTN2K project under the Interreg Italy-Croatia Cross-border Cooperation Programme (Priority Axis 5 – Integrated management for stronger cooperation). Project partners include the Association for Nature, Environment, and Sustainable Development Sunce (Croatia) as the lead partner and the Municipality of Ugento – Regional Park of Nature Litorale di Ugento (Italy). The project is co-financed by the European Union and the Office for NGOs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the project partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Office for NGOs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
Literature:
International Ranger Federation and the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (2023). Global Ranger Competences: a concise summary of skills, knowledge and personal qualities needed by a competent, professional ranger. International Ranger Federation and the Universal Ranger Support Alliance.
Appleton, M.R., Courtiol, A., Emerton, L. et al. Protected area personnel and ranger numbers are insufficient to deliver global expectations. Nat Sustain 5, 1100–1110 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-00970-0
Website of the Carabinieri Forestali: https://www.carabinieri.it/chi-siamo/oggi/organizzazione/tutela-forestale-ambientale-e-agroalimentare
