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Countryside ranger service
North Lanarkshire's countryside ranger service is employed by the Council within Environmental Services. The service is based in the Country Parks at Drumpellier, Palacerigg and Strathclyde and works throughout the council area and adjacent districts. It operates in three teams based conveniently in the northern, central and southern regions of the council area and the unit consists of 12 full time rangers, and up to 6 seasonal staff during the summer months. Responsibility for the management of the Countryside Ranger Service rests with the Countryside & Landscape Manager and forms part of theEnvironmental Services remit .
The work of the ranger service
Countryside rangers have long been recognised through their work in wildlife conservation and countryside interpretation, helping the community to enjoy and care for the natural environment. They are a familiar and friendly presence in the country parks and local nature reserves. Recent years have seen a significant expansion in the commitment of the rangers to sites and activities outwith the protected or designated areas, and in encouraging and assisting local communities to develop and manage facilities for themselves. The service has also become keenly involved in innovative new schemes to encourage young people to take an active role in conservation, whilst developing their own social and craft skills and knowledge. The joint John Muir Trust Awards – Duke of Edinburgh Awards project piloted and promoted by the team based at Strathclyde Country Park is now a nationally recognised example of best practice in this field. The project goes from strength to strength, with some of the group now going for their Gold Awards. As an Open Award Group it takes young people from all over Lanarkshire and has contacts with Duke of Edinburgh Groups throughout the country.
Countryside ranger service objectives
The ranger service works to achieve a defined set of aims and objectives which include :-
Environmental - to provide quality opportunities for the public enjoyment of the countryside; to promote understanding and care of the environment; to encourage, by example, the sensitive and sustainable stewardship of the land.
Social and Educational - to improve the quality of life for all members of the community; in particular, to work to help improve the quality of life and create more balanced opportunities for those who are currently experiencing deprivation or disadvantage, whether by virtue of unemployment, poverty, disability, race or gender; to achieve ease of access to a broad range of safe opportunities for countryside leisure and recreation activities for people from all social backgrounds, in all weathers, at all times; to build on existing procedures to ensure the continued delivery of high standards of customer care.
Promotional - to continue the development of a broad range of facilities for countryside leisure and recreation pursuits of local, national and international significance by monitoring and reviewing visitor needs and expectations; to participate in and encourage innovation and research in the development of conservation activities and countryside leisure opportunities; to maintain service delivery standards of high repute; to foster the reputation of the ranger service, North Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Natural Heritage through the development of national and international contacts in the fields of conservation management and countryside leisure pursuits.
Activities
The work of the ranger service includes regular patrols, monitoring and reporting on the use, condition and wildlife resources of countryside sites throughout the county, meeting and welcoming visitors, helping to increase their enjoyment of the experience. We run a programme of guided walks and activities on a wide range of environmental topics throughout the year. In-service training is provided for teachers and youth leaders on environmental topics. Walks and talks and 'hands-on' fun is offered to pre-school and nursery groups. Primary 1 to Primary 7 classes enjoy environmental projects and assistance on the 5 to 14 curriculum. Field studies are available to all secondary schools with lectures or assistance on environmental topics as required. Walks, talks and study visits are held for a wide range of community groups and youth organisations on local history, leisure topics, access and community involvement. Advice and assistance is given to college and university students towards environmental studies and research projects. Badge-work opportunities are provided for scouts, boys brigade and girl guides, with work experience placements for secondary school students and conservation projects with Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Groups.
Resources
Our resources include small lecture theatres at each base, that are fully equipped with multimedia or overhead and slide projectors; field studies equipment including binoculars, telescope, identification keys and books, butterfly nets, insect nets and trays, nature viewers, magnifiers and microscopes for 'mini beast' studies; tools and equipment for a variety of hands on conservation tasks; Visitor Centres with displays on local flora and fauna, historic sites, fish tanks with local species and Palacerigg Country Park has a rare breeds and animal collection.
Rangers will work with groups at their school or college grounds, within the country parks or on other sites in the local communities, whatever is most convenient.
For more information on any of the activities or help available please contact the countryside ranger base nearest to you.
Drumpellier Country Park
Click on Drumpellier Country Park to return to information on other facilities and services.
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