Ranger Team receives IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award

The Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Park, also called Desnianskyi Biosphere Reserve, is home to species-rich wetlands, peatlands and forests, which are significant habitats for tens of thousands of migratory geese and other animal species. For over 20 years, the women and men working in Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Park have overcome financial, material, social and administrative challenges to maintain the reserve.

The Rangers continued to perform their duties with selfless dedication in the face of war. During a month of being cut from the Ukrainian territory, they established the Park as a humanitarian hub to help local residents. They did not stop protecting the environment even though they were constantly faced with the threat of destruction of the park's infrastructure. In contrary they adapted to the new threats to the park.

This year, worldwide nine exceptional rangers and ranger teams were recognized by the award partners. The winners were selected from a pool of more than 114 nominations from 52 countries and were chosen for their exceptional work in preserving and protecting natural and cultural resources.

The award was developed through a collaboration between the IUCN WCPA, IUCN-US, the International Ranger Federation, Re:wild, and Conservation Allies. These awards, created in 2020, aim to highlight and felicitate the extraordinary work that rangers do in protected and conserved areas worldwide.

The Protected Areas staff can also perform their extraordinary efforts thanks to the many donations of Michael Succow Fundation's Ukraine donation campaign, which supported to deliver some important equipment to Desnianskyi Biosphere Reserve before Christmas 2022.