World Ranger Day 2025

World Ranger Day is both a celebration and a commemoration.

On 31 July each year, we honour those who have fallen in their role of protectors of the thin green line, and stand with those who are on the front line of conservation. In the last year, 175 rangers lost their lives across 42 countries.

We also celebrate the achievements of protected area workers, from those defending endangered animals from poachers, to those female rangers making progress in a traditionally male field, to those just going about their routines: it all matters, and together, we do make a difference.

After all, it was just over 150 years ago that the first National Park was declared, and conservation has only grown and continued to protect natural areas and their communities since then. On our own little island off the edge of the world, two years ago for World Ranger Day we lit a bridge in Hobart green. Last year, this kicked off a trend, with landmarks across the country green lit, and this year, it has gone international!

This year’s theme is “Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation,” as the workers in conservation are at the forefront of creating lasting, positive changes for nature. We are partners with our community in fighting for nature, and so today, we celebrate our rangers: a few of whom have been generous enough to send in photos of themselves too!