Ranger Services In Scotland Make A Difference

31st October 2011

Ranger services across the country make a big difference to the people and nature of Scotland, a new report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has confirmed.

Working with people to help them enjoy, understand and care for the outdoors, the report recognises the vital part ranger services play in helping to improve public health, well-being and supporting the economy.

Over half of the ranger services in Scotland contributed to the report, which looked at key aspects of their work and what they had achieved in 2009/10.

During the year nearly 12 million visits were made by members of the public to the places and facilities managed by the ranger services that contributed to the report. Nearly 100,000 people attended ranger-led events. Around 50,000 young people and adults in education worked with a ranger on projects related to their studies. And over 4,000 people were involved in volunteering with ranger services, carrying out a wide range of tasks outside including litter clearance, path maintenance, tree planting and helping to control invasive plants.

The report also shows that rangers have been putting their wide-ranging skills and extensive knowledge of nature and wildlife to good use, by encouraging people to enjoy, learn about and care for Scotland's outdoors. They contributed to more than 500 different partnerships, projects and initiatives during the year, including Local Access Forums, Community Councils, business partnerships, marketing groups and development trusts

Peter Rawcliffe, SNH's people and places manager, said: "This report gives ranger services due recognition for the vital and inspiring work that they do. It shows that they continue to be an important asset, providing real and tangible benefits for the people and environment of Scotland. These dedicated staff help us enjoy the outdoors, helping our mental and physical health, raising awareness of nature and history, and encouraging the sustainable management and use of the outdoors.

"The results achieved are impressive, especially when you bear in mind that this only represents the work of just over half of the ranger services in Scotland."

Ranger services have particularly been working to encourage more people from different backgrounds to enjoy the outdoors, by targeting communities in deprived areas, people with disabilities and schools that haven't used the ranger service before. They have also been working with GPs, to help patients who have been prescribed outdoor activities to help improve their health. Rangers have also made their events as accessible as possible, arranging transport for people with limited mobility, putting on free events and offering activities where people can turn up and take part without booking.

Their contribution to nature conservation is also highlighted. Rangers have helped monitor and manage a range of wildlife and their habitats, including trapping mink to help water vole numbers, recording numbers of bats and helping to remove invasive species like rhododendron and Japanese knotweed.

Roger Powell, Chair of the Scottish Countryside Rangers' Association said "Rangers occupy a very special place in the public enjoyment and interpretation of Scotland's natural heritage. The management, promotion and use of this natural resource is crucial to a sustainable future for Scotland and its people. I welcome this report as it highlights the vital role that Rangers fulfil in attempting to achieve this goal."

The report concludes that ranger services contribute directly to government priorities and that investment in ranger services should continue into the future.

The report is available at
http://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and-research/publications/search-the-catalogue/publication-detail/?id=1828