Wherever rangers from all over the world meet, talk quickly turns to the international ranger family. Because despite all the differences between the nature regions they work for: All are united by dedication to nature and its protection with heart and soul. This ranger family is also what drives the protagonist of today’s Rangers help Rangers example on day 19 of our WRD 24-Countdown: German ranger Mario Marschler.
The fiery speech that Mario heard from Sean Willmore at the European Ranger Congress 2017 in Litomerice, Czech Republic, about this very ranger family has stayed with him to this day. And so, over the years, the ranger from Schlaubetal Nature Park has launched a wide variety of campaigns to help rangers from all over the world. “As a good family should … stick together and visit each other”, he writes to us.
And he did: Firstly for the 2019 World Ranger Congress in Nepal, for which he financed the participation of two rangers from Botswana through his own funds, a fundraising party and further donations from rangers. Then a friend of his liked his idea for a ranger coin to be purchased, the proceeds of which would benefit rangers in need of support. So he designed and produced 150 of them free of charge. Mario has put the coin in circulation in Austria, Switzerland, Israel, Spain, Sweden, Scotland, England and El Salvador.
Ranger help for Rangers in Botswana, El Salvador, Ukraine, Israel and the Thin Green Line network
So far, the proceeds from its sale have helped rangers in Ukraine, the Thin Green Line Foundation for rangers in need and rangers in El Salvador. His latest idea: guided ranger tours for which participants pay a donation for a good cause – in this case for the work of the Israeli rangers, with whom the German rangers have intensive exchange through a twinning partnership. After the enormous material losses and traumatic experiences caused by the war, help like this is much needed.
Concentrated ranger help across various borders
In all his ideas and activities, Mario had support from many sides – for example from fellow rangers such as Nico Brunkow, who donated to the Botswana rangers. Or from his son Marko, who not only helps with the ranger tours in his spare time, but has also donated an extra 10 euros for every Rangercoin sold! We are sure that with so many ideas and great support, Mario will help many more rangers – a matter of course for him, but for us a great example for the ranger family!
WHAT IS YOUR STORY? PLEASE SEND US YOUR EXAMPLE OF RANGERS HELPING RANGERS!
No matter if you have helped or have been helped, whether it is a smaller or larger action:
Send us your help story with
* a short description,
* your portrait photo
* or a photo/video of the help action
by using this form: bit.ly/45KFF8l
We will publish them all on our social media channels and successively present them here on our website until World Ranger Day on 31 July, 2024.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR WRD 24 COUNTDOWN AND MORE INSPIRING EXAMPLES!