The Minister for the Environment and Heritage celebrated World Ranger Day on Tuesday (31 July) by personally thanking the staff of the ACT Parks and Conservation Service for their commitment to the environment.
The Minister, Mick Gentleman, said World Ranger Day was celebrated internationally to commemorate rangers and those who had lost their lives in the line of duty.
“Rangers in some parts of the world face life threatening situations,” Mr Gentleman said.
“They are often the only line of defence for animals and protected areas,” he said.
“In the ACT, we recognise the sacrifices faced by our colleagues. In the Congo, rangers face danger on a daily basis from insurgents and poachers.”
He said that closer to home, the day would remember the Australian contractor who tragically died in a rock fall in the Blue Mountains late last year while constructing a walking track.
Mr Gentleman said ACT rangers regularly dealt with dangerous situations, such as responding to reports of venomous snakes, battling bushfires, and rescuing lost hikers and injured wildlife with the help of volunteers and emergency services.
The Minister took the opportunity to launch a schools-based competition to name two new ACT Parks and Conservation Service Gang Gang mascots.
He said the competition was open to all ACT primary schools.
“To enter, schools can head to the ACT Parks and Conservation Facebook page,” Mr Gentleman said.
