Rangers policy

Over the last 40 years, Rangers have become a vital part of the environmental scene in Scotland. Today, there are more than 400 working in Scotland, employed by local authorities, non-governmental organisations, private estates, community groups and national agencies.

In a nutshell, you could say that the unique aspect of being a Ranger is the connection of people and places. They help look after the countryside; encourage responsible access to the outdoors, provide a welcome for visitors; and help people understand the local environment with the aim of getting them to appreciate and care for it.

In 2006 a growing number of legislative, policy and administrative developments were changing the context within which Ranger Services operated, including:

• new legislation and policy on outdoor access, biodiversity, National Scenic Areas, and community planning, equality, disability and diversity, and the establishment of the National Parks;
• the development of the Scottish Government's five strategic objectives, together with increased emphasis on sustainable economic growth, health inequalities and community development; and
• public sector reform, leading to close working between different parts of Government, changes to local authority service provision arising from single status, best value and the development of countryside trusts, and an increased emphasis on efficiency and outcomes.

Therefore, in 2007 / 2008 SNH and key partners looked at the way in which Scotland's Rangers operate and came up with a revised vision and aims for them. The Rangers in Scotland statement, published by SNH in 2008, recognises that Rangers are well placed to deliver a greener and healthier Scotland.

The representative body of Rangers, the Scottish Countryside Rangers' Association, is currently working with key partners who form the Ranger Development Partnership to progress the Continuing Professional Development Programme (CPD) of Rangers.