Opinion: How professionalising ranger work can strengthen conservation

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The role of wildlife ranger might at times attract people who thrive on being in the wild and who may not take into account the dangers. The truth is rangers face organised poachers and trafficking rings, tough conditions, occasional clashes with locals and animals that might see them as a threat. In this context, many rangers are undervalued.

• Mohamed Awer is a seasoned conservationist and the former CEO of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature WWF-Kenya. He says that rangers face unstable employment, limited training, insufficient equipment and exposure to serious risks with inadequate protection.

• He says, “Competent rangers are the bedrock of any effective area-based conservation. Yet many enter the profession with limited training and inadequate support. Investing in ranger education, capacity-building and leadership development are essential and must be backed by sustained funding from all partners.”

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In December 2022, world leaders came together in Montreal to adopt the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) under the Convention on Biological Diversity.  A major outcome of this meeting was an ambitious and urgent goal to conserve and equitably manage at least 30% of the planet’s land and sea areas by 2030, a target commonly referred to as “30 by 30”. This doesn’t only mean creation of new protected areas but also areas which are protecting biodiversity that are managed by local communities. 

Such an ambitious vision cannot be realised by words alone. It demands boots on the ground, eyes on the horizon, and hands willing to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems day in and day out. In Kenya, as elsewhere in the world, those boots belong to rangers. 

Often unseen and underappreciated, rangers are the foundation of transformative conservation. They can be government employees, community rangers, volunteers, or from privately managed conservancies. Together, they form the frontline of environmental stewardship, safeguarding biodiversity while working in some of the most remote, challenging and dangerous landscapes. 

Their roles go far beyond law enforcement. Rangers are educators, fire fighters, biodiversity monitors, first responders, community liaisons and tourist guides. They embody the spirit of conservation with courage and commitment yet the conditions under which many of them operate fall far short of what they deserve, and what global conservation efforts require. 

A Workforce in Crisis 

Globally, we have only a third of the ranger workforce required to meet current conservation goals. If the “30 by 30” target is to be met effectively, an estimated 1.5 million more rangers will be needed. In Kenya, where biodiversity is a national treasure and economic pillar, particularly through ecotourism, we cannot afford to overlook the value of rangers. 

In 2024, The International Ranger Federation reported many ranger deaths resulting from wildlife conflict around the world, a statistic that reminds us of the high-risk ranger work it takes to protect livelihoods and conserved areas.  Yet many rangers face precarious employment, limited training, insufficient equipment and exposure to serious risks with inadequate protection. Others, particularly community rangers, often go unrecognised entirely with their knowledge undervalued and their rights overlooked. 

This must change. Rangers must be recognised and rewarded as a professional workforce essential to our environmental and social future. 

Professionalisation: A Cornerstone of Success 

Professionalising the ranger workforce is not simply about formal employment. It means ensuring that every ranger, regardless of whether they serve in a national park, community conservancy, or private reserve is adequately trained, fairly compensated, properly equipped and guided by clear standards and codes of conduct. 

It also means diversifying ranger teams to reflect the communities they serve, ensuring gender equity and inclusive governance, and supporting pathways for local leadership in conservation. 

Fair treatment is not a favour but the right way to relate to rangers. Sustainable Development Goal 8, decent work for all, must apply to rangers too. If we expect rangers to uphold laws, protect people and wildlife, and inspire the next generation of conservationists, we must uphold our responsibilities to them.  

The Africa Ranger Congress in September 2025, was an opportune forum for charting a way forward on how conservation leaders can strengthen ranger workforce and champion positive change in the conservation landscape.  

Accountability and Community Trust 

In recent years, a growing spotlight has been placed on ranger conduct, especially in relation to human rights. A professional ranger force must be held to high standards of accountability, but also supported with the training, leadership, and community oversight mechanisms that enable responsible conduct. 

Rangers need clear job descriptions, mandates, codes of conduct and access to fair disciplinary and grievance systems. Equally, local communities must have the ability to share grievances and be supported without fear. 

This is not just about avoiding harm, it is about building trust, legitimacy and local ownership of conservation. 

Competence and Continuous Learning 

Competent rangers are the bedrock of any effective area-based conservation. Yet many enter the profession with limited training and inadequate support. Investing in ranger education, capacity-building and leadership development are essential, and must be backed by sustained funding from governments, non-governmental organizations, and international donors. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) together with government agencies and other partners are currently prioritising this. 

Kenya has already shown leadership through innovative community conservancies and government protected areas. Now we must go further. Let us lead the way in building a world-class ranger workforce that can truly deliver transformative conservation, one that honours both people and nature. 

A Call to Action: World Ranger Day and the Hyères Declaration

Every World Ranger Day we honour the commitment and sacrifices that rangers make to protect people and the planet, we are reminded that we need to stand with them to strengthen the impact of their efforts.  

We echo the call made at the 10th International Ranger Federation World Ranger Congress (2024) through the Hyères Declaration. It is an urgent call for governments, conservation agencies, civil society and donors to take urgent action to invest in ranger health, safety and wellbeing and ensure decent work conditions and occupational safeguards for all rangers.   

The recommendations in the Hyères Declaration are not just abstract ideas, they provide a practical framework that can support our collective efforts towards empowering our ranger workforce. We now have an opportunity to honor their courage, not with words, but with action. 

First published at WWF.