Kiwa grantee inspires rangers at World Ranger Congress in Fiji
Rangers play an important role in protecting the planet's natural resources and biodiversity. They work tirelessly to safeguard national parks, wildlife, and ecosystems, ensuring that these areas remain healthy for future generations. They make it possible to achieve global conservation targets, such as the ambitious target of protecting 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030.
Photo: 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Kiwa Initiative National Trust of Fiji grantee, and senior park ranger, Mererai Nadredre (middle) was part of the 10th IRF World Ranger Congress that took place in Hy猫res, South of France, from October 7-11, 2024.
Photo: Kiwa Initiative NTF senior ranger, Mererai Nadredre, presenting on the works done by the rangers part of the project.
Photo: Mererai Nadredre, with the fellow rangers during the congress.
One such dedicated ranger is Mererai Nadredre, a Senior Ranger at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park and a proud grantee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播) Kiwa Initiative National Trust of Fiji (NTF). She is committed to help rangers learn new skills and gain knowledge.聽
Ms Nadredre said it was crucial that rangers were well trained and prepared to meet the 30x30 target. She saw the as a key source of funding for training programmes that helped rangers grow alongside their traditional knowledge.
In her role, Ms Nadredre organises programmes to raise awareness about environmental issues and invites communities to participate in activities that promote coastal resilience. 鈥淚 build connections with people, which is needed for the success of the Kiwa Initiative NTF project,鈥 she explained.
She stated rangers needed technical skills to do their jobs well. She mentioned ranger associations should give chances to learn and share knowledge. 鈥淭raining programmes must meet local needs and include traditional knowledge.鈥
Engaging young people is essential for the success of the Kiwa Initiative programme. Ms Nadredre emphasised the need for more workshops and programmes for children, stating, 鈥淲e need more workshops and programs for children.鈥 Initiatives like 鈥淗eritage In Young Hands鈥 have effectively involved youth in conservation efforts, helping to build accountability and connection to nature.
Despite facing challenges, such as threats from fire, the Senior Ranger remains hopeful. 鈥淓ven small results are worth celebrating,鈥 she said. To further strengthen the Kiwa Initiative, she suggests creating the Fiji Islands Ranger Association to unite various environmental groups for collaboration.
Dr. Madhu Rao, Chair of 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), said, 鈥溝愀哿喜士苯峁殖≈辈 WCPA supports the work of the International Ranger Federation (IRF). They are building a skilled and diverse team of workers who can protect and manage 30 percent of the planet. We are committed to supporting these efforts.鈥 聽
She said the ranger workforce was vital for ensuring that we achieved our global goals for protected and conserved areas; however, many endured poor terms of employment and inadequate, hazardous working conditions. 鈥淭hey risk and lose their lives, live under difficult conditions and spend long, arduous hours in the field- to protect wildlife and secure protected areas.
鈥淥n World Ranger Day especially, we remember and pay our respects to those who have died at work in the last year, through accidents, illness and homicide,鈥 Dr. Rao highlighted.
She also mentioned the world鈥檚 rangers were fundamental to the recovery of nature and the successful implementation of global protected and conserved area targets. 鈥淲e need to quite urgently, recognise and formalise their contributions, support the professionalisation of the ranger workforce and increase their numbers five-fold from current numbers if we want to turn the tide on biodiversity declines.鈥
The 10th IRF World Ranger Congress (WRC) took place in Hy猫res, South of France, from October 7-11, 2024.
As the 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Kiwa Initiative continues to support rangers from their various projects, it aims to save nature and assist communities, guided by the lessons learned from the WRC.
The NTF project, titled "Building coastal resilience鈥攆orest restoration, invasive management actions, and the Heritage in Young Hands Programme鈥攐f the Sigatoka Sand Dunes ecosystems," is a local project under the Kiwa Initiative. The initiative is funded by the European Union (EU), Agence 贵谤补苍莽补颈蝉e de D茅veloppement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
The Kiwa Initiative has established partnerships with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the Oceania Regional Office of 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播.
