The 9th World Ranger Congress in 2019 and the resulting Chitwan Declaration, drafted by more than 550 rangers, outlined the challenges and needs of the ranger sector to achieve better conservation outcomes in protected areas. Based on this call to action, the Universal Ranger Support Alliance, a global coalition of conservation and ranger organizations, was established in 2020. In July 2021, guided by the vision of ‘a network of well-supported, professionally competent, mandated, motivated, responsible and representative rangers working effectively as custodians of biodiversity and the life systems upon which we all depend’, the Alliance launched a 5-year Action Plan.

Rangers play critical roles in the effective management of protected areas, conserving natural and cultural heritage and safeguarding the rights of all who depend on nature. They need to be recognized and resourced, empowered and supported if protected areas are to contribute meaningfully to the post-2020 biodiversity framework and the Sustainable Development Goals. The key themes of the 2019 Chitwan Declaration subsequently informed the five strategic objectives of the Action Plan: (1) Advocacy and Representation Rangers need to be formally recognized as a profession and well represented by ranger associations, (2) Ranger Capacity Rangers and their employers need to have the competencies and capacity (both in terms of adequate personnel and resources) to perform their roles effectively, (3) Employment and Welfare Rangers globally need to operate under minimum acceptable standards of employment and welfare, (4) Equity and Equality Rangers have the right to equal opportunities in a working environment where they are not discriminated against, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, culture or background, and (5) Community Relations, Conduct and Accountability Rangers must build trusting relationships with local communities, behaving in a responsible and accountable manner at all times.

The Plan lists multiple actions and outputs for each objective, some of which, such as the Global Code of Conduct (internationalrangers.org/toolkit/ranger-code-of-conduct-2), have already been developed and/or implemented. The Universal Ranger Support Alliance recognizes the value of collaboration and the opportunity created when leveraging the strengths of multiple partners, and therefore invites like-minded members, partners and supporters to join the Alliance and deliver the Action Plan to support rangers. For more details, visit ursa4rangers.org.