Romanian ranger training: conservation requires support of locals

Nowhere else in Europe can you learn as much about the coexistence of humans and wildlife as in Romania: No other country, for example, is home to more brown bears. Their tracks were omnipresent for the participants of our ranger training on coexistence and wilderness protection. And of course, coexistence with the inhabitants of the area of our training partner Conservation Carpathia (FCC) is not always conflict-free. The perfect setting for rangers from all over Europe to learn from the experience of FCC’s rangers and conservation experts about best practices.

The more than 15 rangers from Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Moldova and Israel experienced five intensive days of training around the Făgăraș Mountains in the Southern Carpathians. Accompanied by an experienced nature guide, they learnt about the various areas of nature conservation work carried out by the NGO Conservation Carpathia, funded by Barbara Promberger-Füerpass and Christoph Promberger. Its main goal is to establish the largest European national park: 250,000 hectares of world-class wilderness are to harbour a large number of large carnivores and enable evolutionary wilderness processes in the southern Romanian Carpathians.

Five intensive training days on wilderness protection and community involvement

Our training group visited the sites of the NGO, which is committed to conservation, restoration, wildlife protection, community outreach and support for conservation enterprises. They discussed wildlife conflicts with the manager of the foundation’s Cobor farm, explored information and education centres, learned about the reintroduction of wild animals such as bison and how to manage conflicts for successful coexistence with large carnivores and other wildlife.

Here, some participants as well as representatives of ERF and FCC report on their impressions, goals and results of the training.

Additionally, please read some more first feedback on the training here:

“For me it is incredible how many experienced people came together at this training. As we are a kind of start-up region for ranger activities, it is a pure treasure for us to find the contacts that can help us overcome many of our challenges.”

Valeriu Istrati, Ranger from Moldova

“I came here with the expectation of meeting other rangers from Europe. But apart from that, I am so overwhelmed by all the learning and connections we made. And this is a spectacular environment, so I can really recommend this once-in-a-lifetime experience to anyone.”

Mónica Cansino Navas, Ranger from Spain

“For me, it was one of the best trainings I ever had, because we can learn so much from the Romanians. I have exchanged with friends, but also learnt so many new things. When I go home now, I’m full of motivation, as my job has a lot to do with conflicts between people and nature.”

Urs Wegmann, Ranger from Switzerland

Looking forward to organising the next European Ranger Congress in Romania with FCC and the Romanian Ranger Association, we finally end this training report with a quote from Maria:

“This great collaboration between the European Ranger Federation, the Conservation Carpathia foundation and the Romanian Ranger Association on creating the next European Ranger Congress will be a great booster for rangers from all over Europe. See you all October next year, I’m really looking forward to it!”

Maria Gurscaia, Ranger from Moldova