Released 28/07/2017
Monday 31 July marks World Ranger Day, a day to acknowledge the hard work and commitment our park rangers show in protecting our environment, ACT Parks and Conservation’s Jasmine Foxlee said today.
“World Ranger Day was created to honour rangers who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty and to celebrate the work rangers do to protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage,” Ms Foxlee said.
“Our rangers assist endangered species re-establish themselves in the region. This covers everything from the corroboree frog breeding programs at Tidbinbilla, to the bettong and quoll re-introduction programs at Mulligans Flat.
“World Ranger Day is also a day to remember those environmental custodians who lost their life in the role. It is estimated that over the last 10 years more than 1,000 environmental custodians have lost their lives in the job. Around the world each day rangers put their lives at risk conserving threatened species from illegal hunters, protecting wild places and battling raging bushfires,” Ms Foxlee said.
This year’s World Ranger Day activities in the ACT include:
- Meet a Ranger
On Sunday 30 July the Parks and Conservation Service will be holding ‘Meet a Ranger’ family events at the Namadgi Visitor Centre, and at the Cotter Campground. The purpose of this activity is to engage families in the stories of the work rangers do to protect ACT’s natural and cultural treasures. Meet at Namadgi Visitor Centre at 10:30 am for a scavenger hunt, or meet at the Cotter Campground at 10:45 am for some tree planting and damper cooking. Participants are asked to donate a Gold coin for these activities.
- Ranger Day Schools Challenge
On Monday 31 July Parks and Conservation rangers will be attending as many schools as possible to inspire children about the world’s natural and cultural treasures.
- World Ranger Day Walk
On Monday 31 July there will be a walk to the top of Mount Ainslie with ACT Parks and Conservation Rangers, followed by afternoon tea. The event is open to the public and takes place from 2pm to 4 pm. Walkers are to meet at the base of Mt Ainslie at Remembrance Park, Treloar Cres (at the back of the Australian War Memorial). Participants are asked to donate a minimum of $10 for this event.
All event donations go towards the Protected Areas Workers Association of NSW - Equip Cambodia project and the Thin Green Line, dedicated to protecting threatened species and ecosystems by supporting park rangers.
“Even if you can’t get to one of the ranger led events we encourage residents and visitors to get out to our great parks and reserves this weekend to celebrate World Ranger Day,” Ms Foxlee concluded.
- Statement ends -
ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases
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