RANGER WOODMEADOWS - COMBATTING THE DECLINE IN BIODIVERSITY NEW BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS - Woodmeadow Trust
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
RANGER THE MAGAZINE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION Issue 128: Autumn 2020 Understanding visitor behaviour WOODMEADOWS – COMBATTING THE DECLINE IN BIODIVERSITY NEW BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS
CONTENTS EDITORIAL
Editorial..................................................................................... 1 I am not going to try and describe the
sometimes desperately scary year 2020 has
News from the frontline...........................................................2–3 been so far. You are all very much aware of the
truly unique circumstances we find ourselves in
Understanding visitor behaviour..............................................4–5 and I’m sure the only thing we can be confident
in, is that we will be continuing to cope with
Woodmeadows – combatting the decline in biodiversity.........6–9 ongoing uncertainties for some time to come
A ranger locked down on their patch..................................10–13 Whilst one outcome of 2020 is a much
welcomed re-awakening to the immense value
Introducing CMA’s new International Coordinator..................... 14 of our countryside, greenspace and the ‘great
outdoors’ by many, there has also been a
Celebrating World Ranger Day............................................15–17 shocking disregard shown to it by some. I’m
sure you’ll have been as dispirited as myself,
New benefits for members: sharing knowledge..................18–21 at the immense amounts of rubbish recklessly
discarded, reports of conflict between visitors
CMA spotlight.....................................................................22–23 and resident communities and the destruction of
habitat and wildlife through raging fires resulting
New members......................................................................... 24 from the thoughtless use of BBQs.
News in brief.................................................... inside back cover
Alongside COVID-19, the equally unsettling
ecological and climate emergencies are still very
much with us. Well, that’s all a very depressing
introduction to another packed Ranger edition…
but I’m also confident that as professionals in
the countryside and greenspace management
sector, we will move forward and do what we’re
trained to do – to protect, conserve and enhance
our natural, historic and cultural heritage whilst encouraging public understanding,
awareness and enjoyment through engaging with all communities.
The government is due to bolster our efforts through funding to support ‘green jobs’,
new initiatives and projects. We will see just how much and how well that evolves
but there will be opportunities to be grasped. Never forget your expertise, skills and
experience are invaluable. I say that whilst being acutely aware that some of you may
SUBMISSIONS find that rings hollow, if your job, personal commitment and future plans have been put
We welcome submissions from members for inclusion in Ranger. in jeopardy by the current situation. The CMA will maintain its support and commitment
These can include: to you as a member throughout this difficult time. Stay in touch.
• case studies of successful management techniques/projects
• scientific articles on relevant countryside management topics On behalf of members, I want to applaud the volunteers that make up the Board and
National Committee throughout these past months. ‘We’re all in this together’ may
• news from your managed area or region sound corny but it’s true. Whilst under the same pressures as the rest of us, Board
• letters about relevant topics members, in particular, have stepped up in a massive way, redoubling their efforts to
• opinions about current issues finalise the much-needed accreditation system and securing a variety of additional
benefits for members. There are also ambitions regarding training and personal
development, increasing membership and promotion of the CMA that are in the
PHOTOGRAPHS pipeline. The Gordon Miller Award is very much still open for 2020 with entries to be
We are always looking for good quality images to use to illustrate our submitted by 8 November please. Voting will be either by email or online. Keep an eye
articles or simply to showcase the variety of habitats, flora and fauna on e-bulletins for news of online events. My personal thanks go to Board members for
their ‘above and beyond’ commitment to improving the CMA’s offer to members at a
in our country. We also are interested in seeing images of countryside time when they could have been forgiven for stepping back.
management staff doing their everyday jobs. If you are a keen
photographer and are happy to share your pictures, please get in touch. A big welcome too, to Chloe Bradbrooke who has stepped into the big shoes of Ian
Brooker, as International Coordinator. Chloe put a lot of effort into celebrating World
The deadline for the next issue is 31 October 2020. Ranger Day and I know she’ll do a grand job into the future.
For more information and to submit your articles and photos, I hope you enjoy this Ranger edition and many thanks to all those who have put time
into providing articles. Keep in touch with your colleagues, keep in touch with CMA
email Liz Bourne at ranger@countrysidemanagement.org.uk. and above all else, stay safe.
Opinions expressed in Ranger are not necessarily those of the Linda
Countryside Management Association. Chairman
Front cover image from Peak District National Trust rangers
Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 1
NEWS FROM OUR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Proactively protecting nature in a life or death emergency
By Chris Harte, West Midlands Ambulance Service
NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE
Katie Lloyd, Natural England
Alan Preece, Dudley Council
There is a daily presence of Denbighshire Countryside Service
staff on site, with help from Keep Wales Tidy staff, to maintain
Little terns and site management electric fencing and protect the colony from predators (including
birds of prey and foxes), as well as visitors getting too close.
By Claudia Smith, Denbighshire Countryside Service,
Unfortunately, current restrictions mean no working with
Denbighshire County Council volunteers or public engagement, although the colony can be
seen from a safe distance, outside the fenced area. Meanwhile,
we are working with North Wales police to ensure illegal quad
bike activity does not happen again. Apart from this, work at
Gronant remains relatively unchanged. An unusually high tide in
June wiped out many of the nests from the shoreside, but the
birds have laid again since, and many eggs and chicks could be
seen! More recent high winds have resulted in a number of chick
fatalities, but many chicks have survived to become fledglings.
The decision was taken to leave Denbighshire Countryside
Service sites across the north of the county open during
lockdown. These sites are mostly used by local people, so it
was important that they remained open for people to use for
Urban nature conservation is anything but dull, in the urgency of the moment. So the Ambulance Service,
their local exercise. Where possible, car parks were closed
every day has a new set of challenges. Urban nature Council and Natural England all agreed that it would be wise
to discourage people from driving for exercise, and reopened
conservation in a pandemic, well that is in a league of to make sure the first responders were trained and ready to
when the ban on travelling in cars to exercise was lifted. Many of
its own! protect both life and nature as a matter of course.
our sites lie within urban areas, where people may have limited
access to green spaces and might not have their own garden,
Each organisation’s initial concerns were noted and worked
so it was even more important that these sites remained open. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the inland clifftops at Saltwells
through constructively to make sure they were addressed.
The ranger team have been maintaining these sites to ensure Nature Reserve became THE place to party locally. One long
Methods to avoid and mitigate harm to the natural features were
they are safe for public use, including cutting back vegetation rolling festival. Night, after day, after night. Week after week.
agreed including:
so that users can keep to the two-metre social distancing rules.
Although local sites within the AONB remained open, sites which Along with the litter, fires, vandalism and lack of any social
• initial rope training to be done on adjacent parts of the site,
are popular tourist destinations were closed. These included distancing, there were other concerns. Despite the fencing, in
which are not designated as nationally important;
Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Park, which were likely the past, people still fell down the cliffs after a little too much
• roping off from trees (with protection) and not putting
to attract people travelling from other areas if they had remained alcohol and perhaps other substances. Sure enough, there
anchors into the ground;
open. The team have been carrying out site patrols across the were a lot of things being consumed at this spot throughout this
• using edge protection to prevent damage from ropes;
AONB throughout the lockdown period, and reopened sites on 6 very surreal spring.
• restricting climbing to the least sensitive areas of the
July, in line with Welsh government travel restrictions being lifted.
rockface and least significant features of the SSSI, and;
We will continue to manage sites and welcome visitors back as Along with Dudley Council (who manage the site), the West
• limiting the number of people and occasions needing to
restrictions ease over the coming months. Midlands Ambulance Service were also aware of the need to
climb the route.
get to grips with this. After their last emergency visit a few years
We post regular updates of the little tern colony, and our work ago the Ambulance Service decided that the quarry would be
These were all written into the formal consent application (notice
Denbighshire Countryside Service manages sites throughout the county, on the Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Sir a great place for training, to help ensure that their emergency
of proposal to cause, carry out or permit an operation requiring
within the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Ddinbych – Denbighshire Countryside Service Facebook page, responders remained fully prepared for rescues from height.
Natural England’s consent on a SSSI) which was subsequently
Beauty (AONB), as well as many local countryside sites. and our Twitter page @DenbshireCside.
approved by Natural England. Through the discussions we hope
However, these inland rockfaces are designated as a Site of
Like countryside services throughout the country, we that not only have things been done ‘right’ but that a better
For more information, contact Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and are nationally protected for
have had to make adaptations to ensure vital work can LITTLE TERN FACT FILE claudia.smith@denbighshire.gov. outcome has resulted.
uk• The breeding season starts in May, and continues until their soft carboniferous geology. Climbing up and down them is
continue throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. listed, by Natural England, as an ‘Operation Likely to Damage’
early August. Now the ambulance crews are better trained to protect the
the special interest and could easily damage the shales and
• Breeding pairs construct nests out of scrapes in the public, themselves and the environment. It has also helped build
Denbighshire Countryside Service manages Gronant Dunes, on coal deposits that are the very features needing protection.
shingle. better links between the organisations, which should benefit us
the border of Denbighshire and Flintshire, home to Wales’ only
• Male and female adults both take turns to incubate the into the future.
breeding colony of little terns. As the country entered lockdown Now is also a time when the geoconservation message here is
nest, although males spend proportionally more time
in March, there were reports of illegal quad bike activity on vital more important than ever – on both a local and national scale.
fishing, while females spend more time at the nest. We can raise a glass to celebrate that the nationally important
shingle nesting habitat at Gronant. It was necessary for electric Saltwells is on track to become declared a National Nature
• Chicks typically take 10–21 days to fledge from features will be protected for future generations, visitors will
fencing to go up as planned to protect the little terns. Three Reserve for its geology and the wider Black Country sub-region
hatching. receive the best possible care in an emergency and our heroic
members of countryside staff constructed six pens along shingle has just become a UNESCO GeoPark. This is a proud natural
• Chicks are fed predominantly on a diet of sand eels. first responders are even more ready and able to serve safely.
nesting habitat, while adhering to social distancing measures, heritage to celebrate and one not to damage.
• Adult little terns protect their young by mobbing any
with a seventh pen and further fencing added later. This was
different from our usual set-up week, where we have had much
predators which get too close.
• In August, little terns travel thousands of miles to West
Obviously, in an emergency, the ambulance team must protect We just won’t drink the toast while on top of the
volunteer help in previous years, which was not possible this
year.
Africa, where they spend the winter.
life and save the victim. Things need to be prioritised ruthlessly cliff!
2 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 3
Understanding visitor behaviour
Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Service, along with
Planning Solutions Consulting Limited, conducted an online Hampshire County Council manage the following country
survey on behaviour and motivations to visit country parks as parks:
the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Over a period of two ● Lepe Country Park
Following on from the difficult past few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of you weeks, from 29 May to 12 June 2020, 2,575 responses were ● Manor Farm
● Queen Elizabeth Country Park
may be looking at the effect it has had on the parks and greenspaces you work in and received.
● River Hamble Country Park
manage. Visitor behaviour may have changed and it’s possible that we could learn from The survey sought to explore the attitudes to the outdoors ● Royal Victoria Country Park
this in order to balance visitor needs with that of the natural environment. against other leisure activities, and to determine the major ● Staunton Country Park and farm
influences in their decision to visit a country park managed by ● Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve
Hampshire County Council. The results are illustrated below. ● Basingstoke Canal
4 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 5
Woodmeadows
– combatting
the decline in
biodiversity
By Ros Forbes Adam,
Project Leader, Woodmeadow Trust
IT’S INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT THE CONNECTED CRISES OF CLIMATE
BREAKDOWN AND NATURE LOSS NEED CONCERTED ACTION. BUT HERE IN
THE UK, WE ARE PLAYING ECOLOGICAL CATCH-UP WITH MANY NATIONS.
Over the past century we have One solution that offers hope – and in At the Woodmeadow Trust, we take
eradicated 97 per cent of our wildflower which land managers and landowners practical action for nature and people by
meadows – with over three million are well-placed to play a key role – is the creating woodmeadow habitat, and by
hectares of lowland meadow converted creation of woodmeadows. inspiring others to plant and look after
to intensive agriculture or urban these exceptional ecosystems. We want
development, or just neglected. Woodmeadows are mixtures of every UK parish to have at least one
woodland and meadow that are woodmeadow.
Almost two-thirds of our orchards have exceptionally rich in life – they can
been lost since the 1960s, often dug up contain over 60 species per square If created on a large scale – and
and replanted with cereals or to make metre. They are also superb at soaking combined with connected habitats
way for development such as roads up carbon dioxide, and offer major to provide wildlife corridors –
and housing. Also gone are hundreds of benefits to people’s health and well- woodmeadows could help halt or reverse
thousands of ponds, and hundreds of being. the UK’s decline in biodiversity, while
thousands of kilometres of hedgerow. breathing new life into communities and
Today we are one of Europe’s least These beautiful habitats of tree-studded landscapes, and with no need to deplete
wooded countries. glades full of wildflowers were once productive agricultural land.
common in parts of Europe – especially
Little wonder so many species are Scandinavia and the Baltic countries – Land managers can help by creating
in major decline or crashing towards until the last century. their own woodmeadow. Each new
extinction on our shores. Our removal woodmeadow – no matter how small –
of so much flower-rich habitat alone has Although little known in the UK, can make a positive difference. If every
had a devastating impact on pollinating woodmeadows in all but name were garden, park, churchyard or community
insects such as bumblebees, butterflies, possibly once widespread here. We space had a woodmeadow, the future
hoverflies and moths, on which we still have some surviving versions of of our precious biodiversity would be far
depend for a third of our food. them – including large open spaces in brighter.
woodlands, patches of trees growing on
Clearly we need nature restoration at a grasslands, small meadows surrounded Find out more at woodmeadowtrust.org.
massive scale if we are to stop or reverse by hedges and trees, traditional orchards, uk, and on Twitter and Facebook at @
biodiversity decline. and grassy woodland rides. woodmeadowtrust.
6 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 7
CONSIDERATIONS FOR THREE HAGGES WOODMEADOW
CREATING A WOODMEADOW
Woodmeadow Trust’s flagship
• Woodmeadows are mosaics of project is Three Hagges
trees and grassland in roughly WoodMeadow, on the Escrick Estate
equal proportions, with both between Selby and York. Since its
areas managed. They have creation in 2012 – on land farmed
greater areas of open land than for barley, with biodiversity levels
other woodlands – creating at effectively zero – this 25-acre
habitat edges, which are where corner of North Yorkshire has been
biodiversity is most abundant. transformed into a rich pocket of
nature.
• Woodmeadows can be any
size – you can create a mini Wildlife has moved in at a speed
woodmeadow in a small garden that has taken experts by surprise,
– and they work well in urban and even though the site won’t
areas, parks and community mature for decades, its mosaic of
woods, as well as rural settings. coppice woodland and meadows
supports huge numbers of insects,
• New or existing orchards, birds and mammals. Biological
wildflower mini-meadows, richness is maintained and boosted
hedgerows, ponds or by agricultural methods including
woodlands can become forms haymaking and grazing – with the
of woodmeadow – including hugely important edges between
by under-planting trees with woodland and meadow offering
pollinator-friendly shrubs, niches for many species.
creating wildflower meadow
areas in orchards, and ensuring This biodiversity hotspot is also
lots of habitat edges. a centre of research, education
and enjoyment. There are regular
• They should include flower- surveys, scientific research and
rich grassland merging into educational visits, conservation
a graduated woodland edge opportunities for volunteers, and it is
– a close equivalent to lost a University of York study site.
hedgerows – with flowering and
fruiting shrubs and small trees, Woodmeadow Trust plans to extend
alongside a high canopy of forest the habitat island created at Three
trees. Properly managed, this Hagges WoodMeadow to form
produces a structural diversity a corridor of woodmeadows and
that offers a haven for a wide other habitats – creating a better-
range of wildlife – buzzing with connected landscape for wildlife in
insects, alive with birdsong, and patches of land between the rivers
replete with the wildflowers and Ouse and Derwent.
grasses they all depend on.
8 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 9
A RANGER
LOCKED DOWN
ON THEIR PATCH By Joe Williams, NT ranger, Lake District
It is a gloomy day here in the Lake District. We have been treated to some blistering
sun that has helped the vegetables in our newly built polytunnel but as ever with
the Cumbrian weather we are now in a cycle of damp, cool and overcast.
F
urlough, a new concept, has At the start, our daily exercise was pandemonium. A warm Saturday cycle It came as not so much a shock, but as
brought with it bouts of paranoia, limited, but the hourly ventures out ride along the shore of Lake Windermere, an inevitable disappointment, when the
fear, jubilation, energy and included ambles along deserted country a regular haunt of a patrolling ranger, government and the media undermined
hibernation. A strange enclosed world roads, void of the usual bustle that revealed a quiet world, a walker or two the police’s authority with statements and
where weeks pass like days, and it feels comes with warm days in the Lakes. It and ourselves were around to spoil the headlines of overzealous, misinterpreted
like April when in fact it is now mid July. was genuinely remarkable to be able tranquillity, paradise. and misguided enforcement of rules,
Never before have I had so much time to just walk along in the middle of the perhaps a foreshadowing of government
but felt so inactive and unproductive. road with no sound or sign of traffic or Of course we knew that as wonderful as aides going unpunished. Just in time for
Almost all of my colleagues are on people. Alternatively, a pop into the forest a car-free Lake District might be, such relaxing of measures, our government
the furlough boat, with an odd few along gravel tracks took us through silent is the world we live in, it would not be had removed the teeth from the
disembarking as we drift tentatively woodlands where we may have seen the case forever. During the restricted authorities ahead of greater ease of
closer to land and a fragile normality. three people in as many months. I live times of lockdown the police were able movement.
on my patch. The Trust cottage we rent to enforce new rules that had a side
I have thought how best to relay my sits within the Hawkshead Valley, and effect of controlling some activities in With every rule change here on the
experience of being furloughed and it a few minutes cycling takes us through the wider countryside. The uniqueness patch where I work, we have witnessed
is a tricky thing to commit to paper; of farms, woods, meadows, tarns and of COVID-19 meant that for the Lake popular spots on sunny days filling up to
course I am extremely grateful for it but lakes and even to the foot of a small District, like many other places, people bank holiday levels. Hearing from friends
resent being unable to contribute to my fell that make up the area I work in. I were turned away and fined for travelling. and colleagues both in my current team
team and help look after the patch. There love living on the patch where I work, Illegal camping and BBQs took on a and from across England, the picture
are some real upsides of being able to being in and around the area you are whole new context, and reports were elsewhere has been the same. To be
walk, cycle, run, eat, listen to music, working on and trying to influence gives coming in of fines and moving people on. furloughed while still on your patch
read books and watch telly all whenever a personal intimate perspective, be it Joint patrols have taken place for years witnessing the activities of visitors while
the feeling takes us – though the first simply keeping an eye out for the next between different ranger services and the having your hands tied to intervene has
three things in that list have fallen by the job that needs doing or seeing the subtle police, and great work is done to prevent been very strange, and not pleasant.
wayside a little. Like so many workers yet detailed changes of a landscape anti-social behaviour in our parks and
around the country, I found myself from day to day. Ordinarily, as the heat reserves but I’m sure many will agree that The work of the men and women in blue
homebound from early in the year, being increases with the lengthening days, the issues run deep, are complex and goes on, supporting ranger teams and
paid by my employer under the strictest so too does the heat of patrols that will have seldom been tackled in as head-on enforcing laws in parks and reserves
instruction of not doing any work. Great become more regular, more busy and a way as COVID-19 has permitted. across the country. But it struck me as
right? The beginning of furlough came likely more confrontational. But under a bold highlighting of the dysfunctional
in with bright sun and long days in the the restricted world of COVID-19, the relationship we have as a nation with
garden, confined to barracks in our Lake first couple of weeks of blistering sun the natural world. An attitude from the
District cottage are no hardship. were notable for their absence of hustling top that perpetuates the countryside
as a place purely for recreation, with
no recognition of cause and effect of
behaviours that damage the natural world
or recognise it as a workplace for farmers
or foresters for example.
“Furlough, a new concept, has People had been cooped up for months,
needing space to breathe and relax
brought with it bouts of paranoia, and enjoy the great outdoors; this is the
logical line taken by those in authority,
fear, jubilation, energy and hibernation.” and rightly accepted by the majority
10 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 11
of us. But what plays out on our sites losses across the whole of the UK; the have that more broadly understood, then
seems to be a different reality, as always understanding of the value of rangers perhaps we may be able to influence the
the vast majority are sensible yet silent will now be tested. Furlough has been discourse. From where I’m sitting at the
– but a large number do not recognise on balance a stressful experience, the moment, too few people know we exist
the damage of their actions, only to have inevitable fear of never going back to let alone the importance of what we do.
those actions validated by statements of work and the feeling of a lack of purpose. So what’s stopping governments and
excessive misguided police control. This But it has afforded me time to think, organisations axing rangers? Surely the
of course has all taken place under the quite a lot of time. Amidst the films, question is if not the CMA then who?
umbrella of the COVID-19 context; now woodworking, discovering a love of Lobby, make statements, inform, be
sitting too close, not washing hands, the cooking, getting back into some books present in the public sphere and protect
very air we exhale literally carries with it I’ve been meaning to read for a while, I an endangered species – us. I do not
danger. As I write, the rules are changing have also been thinking about the CMA think COVID-19 is the root cause of
as the country and the world changes (odd aren’t I?!). We are the official body these concerns, it has shone a light on
and try to come to terms with the new representing rangers in England, Wales an issue that has been there for years,
reality we face. Having had far too long and Northern Ireland – the official body and the pandemic has just pulled it to the
to sit and think and wander as a punter that represents these people at home fore.
around my patch, I think now truly more and abroad, attending World Ranger
than ever the importance of the ranger in Congresses and European Congresses. As the days roll on into weeks and
the landscape is paramount. The body, yet perhaps not the voice. months I, like many, am hoping to be
Would it not be prudent with such an soon recalled to the job I love. I know
However, across the border in Scotland evidently incompetent government that work will be different for all of us
the importance of some rangers may detached from the realities that we face for some time to come, but my being
not be being recognised. Ahead of what as conservationists to add our collective furloughed around my patch has shown
could be some of the busiest times for voice to the debates and decisions me what has been obvious all along; I
internal tourism, rangers face losing their surrounding our sector? I believe people just hadn’t appreciated it. We need to
jobs – a potentially catastrophic error need to understand what rangers do, protect ourselves in order to protect our
of judgement. There will no doubt be why they do it and why it is important – patches, because no one else will.
12 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 13
Introducing CMA’s new International Coordinator – CELEBRATING WORLD RANGER
DAY, 31 JULY 2020, AROUND
Chloe Bradbrooke THE COUNTRY AND BEYOND
SOUTHWEST ENGLAND (DEVON AND CORNWALL,
I’ve recently taken on the role FROM JENNY HESKETT)
of International Coordinator
for the CMA.
It sounded like a dream
opportunity as it combines my
two passions in life – travel
and conservation.
Tamar Community Trust volunteers trail maintenance
day.
I’ve always jumped at any chance to go to new places across and knowledge, development of technologies, especially as the
the world and have met a wild array of people. As a bonus, when effects of climate change move across the globe. Invaluable Friends of Luxulyan Valley big balsam pull and
you are lucky enough to do it in the context of conservation work lessons can be learnt from communicating with rangers who meadow raking (photo taken by Chrissie, retired Kit
you are often treated to the very best of those special places have already learnt to deal with these issues ahead of us,
Hill Ranger).
and with the insight of those that look after them and know them e.g. pests and diseases, wild-fire control, invasives, species
intimately. population migration...
The thought of being able to help other rangers connect around It’s refreshing in a world that can feel ever more divided, that as
the world is fantastic. As anyone that has ever done such things a community, we, like nature, transcend politics and borders.
will tell you, it can be life changing.
When meeting those from far-off lands, it has always struck
The aim of the position is, in essence, to bring people together me that there are more similarities than differences. The scale,
– whether individually in terms of arranging exchanges, on scope and detail may vary wildly but the subjects are so
mass in facilitating conferences or bridging countries in twinning often the same. Whether a ranger on a small urban site or a
arrangements. This role has landed at a very strange time so vast landscape, our work has never been more relevant and
will definitely have its extra challenges but with them hopefully important.
opportunities for innovation. I have a small team of rangers
helping from across the UK and from different organisations As a team, we looked to support and help promote World
Tavistock Task Force conservation volunteers (CIC)
bringing wide experience and insight. Ranger Day. Celebrating and contemplating everything rangers
do, some paying the ultimate sacrifice, is both humbling and by the freshly compartmentalised minibus after some
Travel comes at a cost. Even before COVID-19 appeared on uplifting. Whether you reached out to contact a ranger on the wildlife garden work.
the scene and put the brakes on international movement, I other side of the world, held up the sign to stand together in
had started to consider more carefully the carbon footprint solidarity or promoted your site and the work that you do, thank
associated with travel. For example, we were looking into how you so much for taking part. Friends of St Andrews Road Wetland Reserve, Par
to liftshare or use trains rather than planes for rangers to attend
the European Ranger Conference in Bavaria. One good thing We will continue to liaise with our international partners to
that may come out of the current crisis is we will all be far more see what opportunities there will be in the coming year. It’s a
familiar with communicating remotely – though no comparison difficult time for rangers, with the future of many places and Knapp Copse, East Devon
with visiting in person, it’s so important that we continue to jobs uncertain, so it feels ever more important to keep up the (Mark Baker)
maintain our global relationships until the time comes that we momentum and sense of community.
can all meet again.
Please feel free to get in touch.
We all have so much to learn from one another; sharing skills international@countrysidemanagement.org.uk
14 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 15
EST
NORTHW (NAOMI
D
ENGLAN )
NG
SKIMMI nership y Part
Bollin Valle roudly
rs , C heshire, p
Ra n g e ss the
o rt in g ra ngers acro
supp d her
is Rhea an
world. This who help us with
rsal
calf Unive managem
ent of
s e rv a ti o n on our
con meadows
ild flo w e r
our w llin Valley.
nd the Bo
sites arou
JERSEY tryside Ranger,
un meadow
Senior Co n dertaking
L u c e , u e’s
Keiran a t S t Catherin
EAST OF ENGLAND (FROM WILL m e n t
manage
STEWART) ersey.
Woods, J
Volunteer rangers and volunteers provide vital support to
rangers in managing green spaces and nature reserves for
people and wildlife, including on this nationally important
lowland heathland habitat and its associated species, on
Mousehold Heath, just one mile from Norwich City Centre.
LAND
NORTHEAST ENG
(MARK FURNELL) .
astle
Jesmond Dene in Newc
U T H E A S T ENGLAND
S O
SEMAN)
(ADAM CHEE r Day from
ld Range
Supporting Wor anes,
WALES (LLINOS MORRIS) re it’s not just pl
Heathrow, whe e GEORGIAN RANGERS
lidaymakers. Th
Park rangers, proud to be part of the family of rangers around runways and ho t is Georgian Rangers celebrating World Ranger Day together, with
ound the airpor
the world. Emyr Richards, Emyr Davies, Anna Clements, 170ha of land ar ts an d Luso Dostibegiani, recipient of a CMA bursary to attend last year’s
ty of habita
Oliver Dodson, Scott Rehwald – Carmarthenshire Country home to a varie s. IRF conference, on the left.
corded specie
Park Rangers. Photo taken in Pembrey Country Park. nearly 4.000 re
16 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 17NEW BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS:
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
We have been exploring new benefits for our members, to help you with sharing good
practice and developing your knowledge. Here, we introduce some of these benefits:
FORCE FOR NATURE’S
RANGER APP: FOR
RANGERS, BY RANGERS
Take a photo, post it along with your question: ‘Can
anyone help me identify this plant?’ and wait for
replies. Imagine being able to instantly connect with
your colleagues around the world while working
remotely?
Force For Nature’s Ranger App is a new, private and free
ranger platform designed for learning and sharing. The aim is to
unify the ranger community around the world. We’re thrilled to
announce that after the initial testing phase the Ranger App is
now launching for members of CMA.
We welcome you to download and participate in the online
forum, read the specially curated ranger news feed and peruse
the education articles. Finally, a bespoke place online for all your
needs.
The Ranger App is a work in progress, we will be continually fine Force For Nature recognises that wildlife rangers work in many
tuning and improving the app. Our goal is to serve the needs places in the UK, such as country parks, AONBs, canals DOWNLOAD HERE:
of the ranger community, so your participation and feedback is or national parks and that you may be privately or publicly iOS:
important so that we can best develop a useful tool. employed or volunteers representing community groups. Your https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/force-for-nature-ranger-
work is critical in protecting landscapes and wildlife through app/id1500872174
A hub for rangers, by rangers – a revolutionary tool to connect collecting scientific data, tackling human-wildlife conflict and
nature’s protectors land grabbing, managing fires and flooding and acting as guides Android:
and emergency responders is often under-appreciated. In this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.
As a social and environmental enterprise, Force For Nature way, you are providing safety zones for the biological networks imgzine.ffn
is committed to preserving nature and the value it brings to that deliver our life support systems, including clean air, fresh
humanity. By supporting wildlife rangers and those at the water and soil fertility. And you reduce the likelihood and impact Web:
forefront of environmental protection we’re bringing together of climate change, extreme weather and zoonotic disease. Web version of App address coming soon.
proactive citizens and purpose-driven businesses to elevate the
work of rangers and have maximum impact on conservation. The Ranger App is built in conjunction with leading software Website:
designers ORTEC B.V and has been tested for four months www.forcefornature.org
Force For Nature was set up by Jamie McCallum after a decade with wildlife rangers from around the world, with 97% positive
working first hand in conservation around the world. Force feedback and approval from the International Ranger Federation Email
For Nature is also a founding member along with WWF, IRF, (IRF). team@forcefornature.org
Global Wildlife Conservation, ZSL, Fauna & Flora International,
Panthera, IUCN and WCPA of the Universal Ranger Support The app will enable CMA to upload news related to our
Alliance (URSA). association to members. We look forward to seeing you online.
18 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 19CMA BASECAMP ECOLOGY TRAINING UK
STUDYING AT HOME – WHY
ONLINE COURSES ARE A
e
Gi v !i t GOOD OPTION
a go
If you are trying to gain new skills SO HOW DOES AN ONLINE COURSE • Grass ID (summer only)
and knowledge for your career it WORK? • Habitat Management
Once you have booked onto your course • Habitat Restoration
can be difficult in these lockdown via our website you are automatically • Woodland Management for
times or expensive, time- sent joining instructions which could Biodiversity
consuming and tiring to go on a be video links or weekly modules sent • Phase 1 Habitat Mapping
taught course, especially if travel by email depending on the course you • Introduction to Ecology
choose. • Invasive Species
is involved. What if you could do • Mammal ID
a course in your own time and Courses are either text-based or video- • Reptile and Amphibian ID and
work at your own pace? Sounds based with further reading and resources Surveying
great doesn’t it? So why not to help you get the most out of the
take a look at self-study online course. You receive a certificate once you And there are more on the way.
CMA Basecamp is an online discussion forum launched messages in response to that subject but will allow you have successfully completed the course
for CMA members. Members always say that networking to receive messages on any new subjects added (sounds courses? and the end-of-course quiz. It is easy to book, go to
with colleagues around the country is incredibly useful; complicated, but it’s really not!). www.ecologytraining.co.uk
particularly at the moment as we come out of lockdown and Here at Ecology Training UK, one Courses available: and look for Online Courses.
there are even more challenges to address. • If you want to start a new project/topic, just let Rachel know of the top providers of ecology and • Bats and Trees
and she’ll set it up. conservation courses, we run a range of • Introduction to Bats
home study courses that are designed As a special gift from us to you we
Learn from others through discussing topical issues and • Dormouse Ecology and Surveying are offering a 20% discount to CMA
exchanging good practice, hints, tips, knowledge and When you get into Basecamp, you’ll see a list of topics on the for people interested in ecology and • Badger Ecology and Surveying members on the online courses if you
experience. You’ll rarely be dealing with an issue that someone right-hand side. These have been added as ‘starters for ten’ to conservation. They are written by trained • Reptile Ecology and Surveying book via our website and use this code:
within CMA hasn’t been grappling with, so it makes sense to get us going, but if not used these can be taken off and new ecologists and experts in their field. • Otter Ecology and Surveying 557NL7F4RG6G. Keep this code handy –
pick the brains of colleagues. ones added. CMA can have up to 34 discussion topics. We • Beginners Botany (summer only) you can use it over and over again!
appreciate that as you start using Basecamp, you may need to
You’ve always been great at collaboration. The CMA recognises be patient with a high volume of information, especially as you’re
this and the CMA Board hopes that this additional benefit of signed up for all topics to begin with. To manage the flow of
membership proves itself to be helpful in your day-to-day work, if information you can choose one or more of the following:
not invaluable.
1. Read the email alert and post your own comment, file or
The CMA fully supports the Facebook group as the effective and delete it as appropriate.
worthwhile tool it is. However, Basecamp offers an additional 2. Divert all email alerts to a folder in your inbox and make a
platform where more detailed discussions can take place, and decision to view these once a week/fortnight, whatever suits
not all CMA members use Facebook. you.
3. Click on ‘stop receiving emails’ at the bottom of the page, as
You can attach documents and photos to your post for others to set out above.
view, if helpful to the discussion and if they’re freely available for 4. Delete all email alerts and make a conscious decision to log
dissemination. onto Basecamp once a week/fortnight, whatever suits you,
to read through the discussions.
HOW TO USE CMA BASECAMP
Starting a discussion with colleagues, couldn’t be easier: CMA will send all members this guidance on how to join and
• Email admin@countrysidemanagement.org.uk and tell use Basecamp but here are a few important things to remember:
Rachel the email address you want to use (you will get email • When you post a comment, it goes to everyone who is
notifications from Basecamp when anyone posts a comment, signed up to that project; so think before you post.
so you may need to check if your work’s IT server will allow • Although optional, leaving your name and/or where you
these emails in, or perhaps use a different email). work perhaps when posting, can help with the context of a
• Rachel then adds you to the system and you’ll receive an comment.
invitation email to join Basecamp. • Please do not copy and replicate anything externally from a
• Inside that invitation email is a link to set up your password. post, without asking the permission of the original author.
• Obviously keep contributions professional and courteous;
PROJECTS/TOPICS: any inappropriate comments will be deleted.
• You are automatically given access to all the topics on • Basecamp is not an additional ‘chit chat’ email tool, e.g. ‘let’s
Basecamp to start with. meet up for a coffee’; it is a discussion forum.
• You will receive email alerts every time someone posts a • If you go to My Info in the top right-hand corner, you can
comment on any of the topics. So, if you only want to be update your details (office number, mobile phone number)
involved in certain topics, click on ‘stop receiving emails’ allowing members to contact you outside of Basecamp if
at the bottom of the email alert regarding topics you’re you/they want to discuss something in more detail.
not interested in. This will stop you receiving any further
20 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 21CMA SPOTLIGHT
CMA accreditation Non-accredited categories Principal Member
£35 fee for accreditation process + £70 pa subscription (£58
Membership fee deferrals
Due to the unusual circumstances brought about by COVID-19,
The draft accreditation system was sent out for external corporate member) if joining this category as a new member or
Student Member those members on furlough or experiencing financial difficulties
consultation over a six-week period. It was received by at the time of next renewal, for existing members.
£20 pa subscription brought about by the situation were offered membership fee
organisations across the land that employ countryside and Intended for those working at a more senior level in the
A student-only member category to encourage students to deferrals. Fees will now be requested again in October 2020.
greenspace professionals as well as colleges, universities profession or those having gained a Countryside Manager
join early in their career path. This is an encouragement to see Any member still in difficulty should contact Rachel Limb on
and key individuals at Natural England, Forestry Commission, Apprenticeship. After successful accreditation is awarded,
CMA membership as a valuable first step in their chosen career. admin@countrysidemanagement.org.uk.
Environment Agency, along with many more. The detailed the use of a suffix (PCMA) and optional entry into a Members’
CMA will work directly with colleges and universities to positively
responses are in the process of being considered but the overall Directory. Required to sign up to a CMA Code of Professional
promote this membership category.
outcome is one of very positive support. Conduct.
Redundancy
Any current member being made redundant will have their
Supporter
The next steps are to refine the accreditation competencies and membership automatically extended for a further year at their
£25 pa subscription (£20 corporate member discount) Fellow
process to take account of the responses where appropriate. fee renewal date, should they wish to retain their membership
This category is intended for volunteers wishing to join CMA £45 fee for accreditation process + £100 pa subscription
We now have around 12–15 members who are content to act and receive all membership benefits such as training days,
including those actively looking to gain sector employment, and (£80 corporate member) if joining this category as a new
as ‘guinea pigs’ in order to test the accreditation process in e-bulletins and Ranger magazine. Please would any member
for retired members and offer a category for anyone aligned with member or at the time of next renewal, for existing members.
practical terms, before officially launching the new system to finding themselves in that very unfortunate position, contact
the aims and objectives of CMA. The Fellow membership category has the additional requirement
members. The intention is to complete that testing by the end CMA admin as soon as possible.
to complete more competencies during the accreditation
of 2020. process and to submit evidence of the contribution made to
Member
£35 pa subscription (£28 corporate member discount) the sector over time when applying. A Fellow applicant would
Before that testing begins, the Board needs to contract
The Member category is for those working in the sector who be expected to have worked in the industry for a minimum of Student membership offer
external assessors. Those assessors need to have a clear job 10 years. Required to sign up to a CMA Code of Professional The CMA is contacting colleges and universities to offer all
are not yet ready to apply for accreditation or those who simply
description and an agreed ‘way of working’ to ensure they all Conduct. students undertaking a relevant course of study, free student
do not wish to apply for accreditation. If many members decide
utilise a consistent means of assessing applications. You will membership for a year. Through offering access to study/
not to go down the accreditation route, then this could be the
agree, I’m sure, that this is extremely important. It will take time Please note that although you will be re-allocated to a new training days, Basecamp, Ranger magazine and networking
largest membership category, hence leaving the fee at £35 pa
to discuss and agree robust criteria against which assessors membership category as of 1 January 2021, you will only among potential colleagues for a year, we aim to positively
which is currently the Member category fee. Everyone joining
will judge and mark applications. The system used needs to pay any change in membership fee at your next renewal support students in the early days of their chosen career paths.
CMA in the Member category will be required to sign up to a
withstand scrutiny so that members can have confidence in its date. Please do help spread word of this offer to any relevant student
CMA Code of Professional Conduct.
consistency and validity. There also needs to be a well-defined you may know.
appeals system in place.
These elements are the current focus of attention. Accredited categories Member benefits
Ranger magazine, e-bulletins, regional networking (and Onwards and upwards…
Associate Member newsletter if produced), member rates at training/study The CMA Board and National Committee are working hard to
In case some major issues arise during the testing phase that
£35 fee for the accreditation process + £45 pa subscription days and Conference, access to CMA Basecamp and CMA champion the countryside and greenspace management sector
need attention, the overall aim is to launch the accreditation
(£36 corporate member) if joining this category as a new Membership Certificate and various promotional items such as throughout these particularly difficult times and on into the
system on 1 April 2021. However, if testing allows, the CMA is
member or at the time of next renewal, for existing members. car sticker and pin badge. Accredited members can also use future. The new Competency Framework will allow you to gain
keen to launch the system earlier in the new year.
Intended for those in the early stages of working in the the appropriate suffix and have optional entry to the Members’ professional accreditation for the critically important and highly
profession or those having gained a Countryside Worker Directory. The CMA Board is actively working to secure new, valuable work you undertake. The accreditation system will
Apprenticeship. The use of a suffix (ACMA) after accreditation additional benefits for all members such as discounts on be strongly promoted to employers and throughout the sector
CMA membership categories is awarded and optional entry into a Members’ Directory. equipment, clothing, publications and training courses. The first as part of a new communications and promotional strategy
When reading the draft accreditation paperwork, you should of these is outlined in this edition. News of these further benefits currently being finalised. The Board is also in active discussion
The purpose of the Members’ Directory is to allow all the
have also noted that CMA membership categories will be will be emailed out to members as they are secured. with the parks and greenspace sector, exploring synergies and
membership to see who the accredited members are and
changing. The corporate membership category is also being common ambitions. Similarly, talks are underway with various
any topics they are happy to be contacted about for advice/
reviewed. Please note that, as now, anyone joining as an potential partner organisations and providers of training and
guidance (an additional benefit to all members). Required to
individual member whose employer is a corporate member, personal development, with a view to developing a much
sign up to a CMA Code of Professional Conduct. Membership fees
receives a 20% reduction in their membership fee. broader training offer for members. Do consider the prospect
All membership categories will change as of 1 January 2021 as Subscriptions have remained constant for the last 5+ years.
Practitioner Member of becoming an accredited CMA member and make full use of
set out below. The CMA believes it is not unreasonable to make relatively small
£35 fee for accreditation process + £60 pa subscription the membership benefits being negotiated. By doing so, both
changes to most membership category fees at this time. The
(£48 corporate member) if joining this category as a new individual and corporate membership of the CMA will continue
fee for the accreditation process will be held at £35 for the first
member or at the time of next renewal, for existing members. to steadily rise, enabling additional opportunities and benefits to
year. After that time, CMA reserves the right to raise the fee to
Intended for those who have been working in the profession be secured for all.
cover actual costs.
for some time or those who have gained a Countryside Ranger
Apprenticeship. Practitioner member replaces the current
‘Accredited Member’ category. After successful accreditation
is awarded, the use of a suffix (PrCMA) and optional entry into
a Members’ Directory. Required to sign up to a CMA Code of
Professional Conduct.
22 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 Ranger 23NEW
INTEMEMBERS NEWS IN BRIEF
The CMA is pleased to welcome the following new members*: GORDON MILLER AWARD 2020 IRF UPDATE
Submissions for the 2020 Gordon Miller Award are required Much work is being done by the IRF Board behind the scenes.
EAST OF ENGLAND: Dawn Morland – Member by 8 November. Download the application form from the These include:
CMA website and email completed submissions to admin@
Adam Hick – Member Heather McCagney – Affiliate Member
countrysidemanagement.org.uk • As seen in this edition, Force4Nature’s Ranger App is now
being launched in the UK. This app aims to connect rangers
EAST MIDLANDS: SOUTH WEST: around the world. Do download and take a look.
Ted Talbot – Member Peter Collins – Member
Adam Lister – Member • The Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA) took
several months of online meetings to be launched on World
GREATER LONDON: Tim Collins – Affiliate Member Ranger Day. This alliance of the big international NGOs
Nik Cain – Affiliate Member has a core aim of delivering on the ambitions set out in the
WALES: Chitwan Declaration from the 2019 World Ranger Congress
NORTH EAST: Claudia Smith – Member in Nepal. Details of the Action Plan can be found at:
Katherine Knox – Member Ellen Wainwright – Member www.ursa4rangers.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-vital-
role-of-Rangers-Action-Plan-Summary-July-2020.pdf
NORTH WEST: YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE: •
World Ranger Day was celebrated and commemorated
David Pickup – Member David Preston – Member across the globe with videos and photos at centre stage.
Joseph Seal – Affiliate Member Adam Musk – Affiliate Member •
Wildlife Ranger Challenge – raising funds for rangers in
Ryan Segar – Affiliate Member Africa. See www.wildliferangerchallenge.org/
• An additional ranger award scheme on the verge of being
SCOTLAND: The CMA would also like to welcome back: announced – watch out for news.
Eithne Phillips – Affiliate Member Richard Brooks (Member) – South West Countryside Jobs Service • 18 new membership applications received by IRF since
the original Countryside Specialist the last WRC in Nepal.
SOUTH EAST: *Membership applications processed by Jobs, Training, Information, • New Membership, Communications and World Ranger
Adam Cheeseman – Member 31 July 2020 Volunteering - since 1994 Congress 2022 working groups set up and operating.
Julian Cooper – Member •
COVID 19 survey recently sent to all rangers/frontline staff
Current countryside news and information with working in Protected Areas.
regular updates on the hot topics of the day.
COPYRIGHT GUIDANCE FOR IMAGES USED IN NEWSLETTERS, ONLINE AND OTHER •
New Executive Officer about to be contracted to help with
Daily updates on vacancies working across the a large amount of administration.
MATERIAL countryside sector, with wildlife, trees, ecology etc.
Country parks, urban greenspace & nature reserves
Images help to communicate your stories and messages. If someone in your organisation passes you an image, you
However, we must all be aware of the pitfalls of using other must still check that you have permission to use it for your Free recruitment advertising available
people’s images – in your newsletters, presentations and purpose.
webpages – since this may lead to infringement of copyright Train for new qualifications or brush up your
and subsequent fines. If you do have permission to use an image, make sure that traditional and professional countryside skills.
it is properly credited, as outlined by its creator.
THINGS TO REMEMBER Weekly newsletters with all this and more...
All images are considered the intellectual property of If you are not sure if you have express consent to
photographers and image libraries. use an image, then don’t use it! www.countryside-jobs.com
Just because an image is free to view, e.g. on Google, WHERE TO GET IMAGES FROM CJS is endorsed by the Countryside Management
doesn’t necessarily mean that it is free to re-use. The easiest way to get images is to take them yourself! Association and the Scottish
Countryside Rangers Association
If an image doesn’t appear to have a credit, it may still be Some websites offer images under the ‘Creative Commons’ For a free monthly newsletter of
protected by copyright. licence. These are usually free to use, but you will need to
double check any conditions attached to their use, e.g.
the latest news, jobs and full calendar
of short courses, email your name
CJS
If a creator or website does not clearly state that they credits or links to websites. Again, if you are not sure do not and organisation to Professional@
are happy for an image to be used, you will need to get use the image. countryside-jobs.com
permission to reproduce it. If you don’t hear back, then
don’t use it. ranger@countryside-jobs.com 01947 896007
24 Ranger Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 RangerYou can also read
