The rangers are professionals responsible for the management, protection, and conservation of natural and cultural resources within protected areas. They also enforce environmental laws, support scientific research, monitor ecological health, conduct anti-poaching patrols, engage with local communities, and educate the public about conservation. Their role is essential in ensuring the integrity of the environment and the safety of the visitors. While the specific duties of rangers can vary by region, there is a common understanding globally that rangers are frontline defenders of protected areas.

Rangers are essential for protected areas because they enforce laws and regulations, prevent illegal activities such as poaching and logging, monitor wildlife and ecosystems, and engage with local communities and stakeholders. Their presence ensures the integrity and sustainability of these areas. Rangers provide significant added value by ensuring the effective management and protection of natural areas, thus contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and the sustainable use of natural resources. They also foster positive relationships between protected areas and local communities and play a key role in supporting scientific research and collaborating with researchers to enhance knowledge and conservation practices.

To effectively protect protected areas, rangers need adequate funding, proper training, modern equipment, supportive policies, community collaboration, and robust legal frameworks.

Rangers face challenges such as:

• Inadequate funding and resources to do their job effectively
• Insufficient training and support
• Risks of violence and conflict, particularly in areas with high levels of illegal activities
• Difficult working conditions and remote locations
• Balancing conservation goals with community needs and pressures

The 10th World Ranger Congress (WRC), co-organized by the International Ranger Federation (IR) and Gardes Nature de France (GNF), unites over 450 rangers from more than 100 countries. It will be a landmark event about "Contributions and developments of the ranger profession in order to achieve target 3 of The Biodiversity Plan". This target aims to conserve and manage at least 30% of the Earth's land and sea area by 2030.

The IRF WRC gives rangers the opportunity to learn new skills, share knowledge and create partnerships. It occurs every three years in a different location, allowing host countries from each IRF region to raise the profile of rangers locally and internationally. It allows them to showcase their successes, to identify how they are addressing their regional challenges and share their knowledge and skills with colleagues from around the world.

Rangers are crucial for achieving the 30x30 target. They play a key role in managing and safeguarding these protected areas, ensuring compliance with conservation policies, and supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services.

This year’s declaration aims to strengthen the role of rangers notably in achieving the 30x30 target of The Biodiversity Plan, advocating their inclusion in NBSAPs, recognizing their contribution to climate change mitigation, and involving them in global biodiversity discussions.

The typical output of the World Ranger Congress includes resolutions and action plans to improve ranger support and effectiveness, recommendations for policy and practice enhancements, sharing of best practices and innovative strategies, and strengthened networks and partnerships among rangers and conservation organizations. This motion aligns with the 2050 vision of living in harmony with Nature, demonstrating how rangers are essential to achieving this ambitious goal.