Worldwide park rangers killed in the line of duty last year
Via IRF Ranger Roll of Honor
1 in 7
Rangers injured in the line of duty across Asia & Central Africa in 2018
Rangers have long been the frontline conservation workers safeguarding the planet for the benefit of the human race and all biodiversity, but now serve as first responders for maintaining the health of the planet. It is therefore more important than ever to support rangers, their work, and their communities.
Who We Are
Founded in 2022, Ranger’s Legacy is a United States based 501(c)3 grant-issuing organization that strives to support park ranger-centric initiatives, primarily in developing areas.
Why We Do It
A park ranger is someone who stewards and advocates for the protection of natural resources, heritage, or wildlife. They can be a game warden in a reserve, or a villager mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Park rangers selflessly risk their lives for the job, oftentimes ill-equipped and underpaid. Still, they work towards leaving a legacy for others to benefit from. The dictionary definition of a Legacy is something transmitted by or received from an ancestor, predecessor, or from the past. For us, a ranger’s legacy means protected lands, left-behind families with opportunities, and wildlife that can continue to prosper. Our primary focus is to serve efforts that support this legacy.
MISSION
Promote the legacy of nature’s protectors by supporting the needs of park rangers and their families, globally.
PURPOSE
Park rangers are nature’s protectors. Many lack the resources they need to get the job done. They risk their lives for others. Families of fallen park rangers get left behind. The ranger’s sacrifice must be known.
VISION
We envision a world where a ranger’s legacy lives on, forever.
How We Do It
Given the ongoing challenges rangers face around the world, along with our team’s exposure to existing efforts, we know that partnership is key.
We stand by efforts that provide crucial support to park rangers by funding effective grassroots projects. The projects and initiatives we grant funding to are those that:
- Provide park rangers with equipment, gear, and support for necessary job functions
- Support the families of park rangers through livelihood developmental opportunities
- Promote education around ranger work, day-to-day job functions, field challenges, and ranger-directed conservation initiatives
As we grow, our global footprint will as well. Ranger’s Legacy will issue our first formal grant(s) by the end of the 2022 calendar year.
Stay tuned for our annual report and newsletter with information related to our project streams and organizational growth. To get involved, or learn more about what we do as an organization, please reach out to our team via email at info@rangerslegacy.org.
MEET THE TEAM
Dennis
Dennis’s interest in the work of a ranger kindled at a young age. Through connections he made as an attendee at the 2016 IRF World Ranger Congress, Dennis found his way to the DR Congo as a guest, where he saw firsthand the challenges rangers face, and the families who are left behind after a ranger’s ultimate sacrifice. A couple of short years later, Ranger’s Legacy was formed. Dennis supports our team in a leadership role and brings passion, as well as a global network of like minded efforts to Ranger’s Legacy.
Weston
Weston has long been interested in supporting the fight for wildlife protection, and how conservation and development can function in tandem. He was able to meet many park rangers that aligned with his vision for natural resource protection and sustainable growth at the 2016 IRF World Ranger Congress, where his interest in supporting park rangers was born. Weston joined the organization in 2022 to serve in an administrative role, while assisting with team projects, broader initiatives, and events.
Maddy
Maddy joined the Ranger’s Legacy team in 2022 after getting involved in the fight for conservation on safari grounds with Umoja Partnership in the Masai Mara region of Kenya years prior. After learning the drive and mission of Ranger’s Legacy, she joins this project passionately devoted towards finding solutions that help people and the natural world coexist. Maddy supports the organization in a marketing role, serving primarily as the creative designer and manager of social media.
Ranger’s Legacy is a 501(c)3 grant-issuing organization that strives to support ranger-centric initiatives around the world. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. To contact our team, please email info@rangerslegacy.org.