California State Park Rangers Association
World Ranger Day is celebrated worldwide on July 31st to commemorate rangers killed in the line of duty and to celebrate the work rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage. WRD was conceived by the International Ranger Federation (IRF) and was first observed in 2007. The IRF was established in 1992 and has a membership of 90 Ranger associations (including CSPRA) from over 50 countries, on six of the seven continents. The IRF is a non-profit organization established to raise awareness of and support the critical work that Rangers do in conserving the world’s natural and cultural heritage. IRF's ranger definition is quite broad, “A Ranger is the person involved in the practical protection and preservation of all aspects of wild areas, historical and cultural sites. Rangers provide recreational opportunities and interpretation of sites while providing links between local communities, protected areas and area administration.”
One special part of the event was remembering Ranger Patricia Scully, who while on patrol on May 6, 1976, was killed by a reckless drunk driver (later convicted of felony manslaughter). Pat's brother Tom and sister Peggy Scully-Linder attended the event and spoke about Pat and her contribution state parks. On June 1, 2013, a section of California Highway 1 was dedicated as the State Park Ranger - Patricia M. Scully - Memorial Highway. Patricia Scully was the first (and to this day the only) California state park ranger (peace officer) killed in the line of duty and, at the time of her death, was only the second female peace officer killed in California.
A special thanks to Joanne Kerbavaz , Supervising Ranger Barbara Morris and other District staff for their assistance and participation in the event.
WORLD RANGER DAY 2018 ~ California
by Mike Lynch
We had a very special World Ranger Day (WRD) at San Gregorio State Beach to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by over 100 rangers around the world in 2017 and to celebrate the ongoing efforts of all protectors, guardians, maintainers and educators who service in parks and protected areas around the globe. The event was organized by California State Park Rangers Association (CSPRA) with State Parks and International Ranger Federation (IRF).
L-R: Shirley Mraz, Fran Scully; Tom Scully; Peggy Scully-Linder; Michael Linder, Patsy Lynch (holding a picture of Pat Scully), Ann Meneguzzi (CSPRA VP), Lifeguard Dan Perry, Mike Lynch, Environmental Scientist Joanne Kerbavaz, Supervising Ranger Barbara Morris and Superintendent Terry Kiser.
Photo by Rodi Lee, retired Interpretive Specialist.
WORLD RANGER DAY 2018 ~ Mexico
By Jeff Ohlfs, IRF, ANPR, CSPRA, PRAC
I was invited to Ensenada’s World Ranger Day as keynote. I had a wonderful time. They couldn’t do enough. I really hated to leave. I made a bunch of new amigos! If you are interested, here’s something I wrote up for Association of National Park Rangers. Have a good summer.
World Ranger Day is observed every July 31 to commemorate park rangers killed in the line of duty and to honor rangers worldwide who protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage. The observance is an International Ranger Federation initiative. For the 13th annual World Ranger Day, I was invited to speak at Mexico’s inaugural World Ranger Day gathering in Ensenada. It was a two-day event hosted by Sierra de San Pedro Martir National Park at the Caracol Museum.
The main ceremony was somber as we remembered every ranger who died over the past 12 months doing the work they loved. Mexico lost ranger Gabriel Ramos Olivera, who was murdered by suspected poachers in August 2017 in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park. America lost Captain Brian Hughes on July 29 this year, when he was struck by a tree while fighting the Ferguson Fire in California. Hughes, who was originally from Hilo, Hawaii, had worked with the elite Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ Arrowhead hotshots in California for four years.
The event in Mexico appeared to be the largest World Ranger Day gathering held in the western hemisphere to date. Rangers from 15 Mexican national parks and from seven nongovernmental organizations were in attendance; and live video feeds from Saguaro National Park in the United States and Galapagos National Park in Ecuador.
A staff of 27 wonderful volunteers kept the sessions, workshops and video conferences running. There was time to celebrate, as well. We even had an unofficial evening reception at the birthplace of the margarita!
The event was covered by the local media and members of the public came to view special exhibits and earn junior ranger badges.
I was fortunate to receive a personal tour of Sierra de San Pedro Martir with special access to the condor sanctuary and National Astronomical Observatory. Growing up in California, I always thought Mexico’s Baja California was an extension of our southern California desert. Was I ever wrong. It seems like a southern version of the Yosemite high country. The Sierra range runs through Baja and is thick with pine forests, granite outcrops and mountains high enough to have a world-renowned observatory.
The entire experience was so moving that I can't wait for next year’s World Ranger Day – when I can spend more time with the guardaparque family and old and new friends.