Unprecedented support for Rangers and nature protectors in Africa unveiled at the United for Wildlife Global Summit in Cape Town.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has announced a new game-changing package of support for Rangers and other professionals who play a critical role in nature protection.
Launched by United for Wildlife together with Tusk Trust and the Game Rangers Association of Africa, The Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative is the first sustained multi-year initiative to be rolled out across Africa. The ambitious five-year plan will provide 10,000 Rangers with access to appropriate, affordable in-service and medical evacuation insurance cover, together with opportunities for training and leadership development.
Prince William, Founder of United for Wildlife, said:
“Rangers are fundamental if we are to meet our global conservation targets for 2030 and prevent the dangerous tipping points that threaten our planet. These people do far more than protect wildlife. They are educators. They are community supporters. And they help regulate the sustainable use of natural resources. We cannot protect our planet without them, which is why this initiative aims to ensure that Rangers receive much needed life insurance cover, giving them and their families reassurance that they are protected for the dangerous job they do. It will be led by those who protect nature, for those who protect nature.”
Every day, tens of thousands of Rangers across Africa manage large areas of land and water, safeguarding some of the planet’s most iconic species and landscapes – while often putting their own lives at risk. These Rangers are guardians of nature, playing a fundamental role in improving environmental security and human wellbeing, safeguarding nature for future generations. Spearheaded by African Rangers themselves, The Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative will provide both Rangers and their families with peace of mind, improve well-being, and promote the rights and professional standards of Rangers across the continent.
To ensure Rangers also have access to the right resources to develop as leaders, United for Wildlife is supporting a leadership development and capacity building initiative for 170 nature protectors across South Africa, delivered in close partnership with the Southern African Wildlife College.
United for Wildlife will also support leadership training for 60 nature protectors that will take place over the next two years in Kruger National Park and plans to broaden the reach of these initiatives in the coming years to serve people working on the frontline of conservation globally.
The announcement of The Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative was made as United for Wildlife convened over 400 key stakeholders from private sector, law enforcement, governments and not-for-profit organisations in South Africa for its third annual Global Summit.
The United for Wildlife Global Summit highlighted the role of those at the forefront of championing the lived experience of nature’s protectors including Cathy Dreyer, Grace Pounsin and Juan Carlos Jiantich Arcos, leading conversations about the future of environmental protection.
Nature protectors face an enormous task yet their role is often misunderstood and under-resourced. With the global commitment by governments to protect and conserve a minimum of 30% of land and sea for nature and people by 2030, the role of the 286,000 nature protectors working across the globe grows in importance every day.
The Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative encourages every employer of Rangers to agree to operate to a shared set of minimum standards by 2030 as created by the International Ranger Federation.
