2025 World Ranger Day

World Ranger Day is celebrated worldwide on July 31st to commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate the work Rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage.

Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on the courage and sacrifice that Rangers make; by honouring Fallen Rangers and standing with Rangers who bravely undertake their role on the frontline.

We’re excited to present the World Ranger Day 2025 Social Media Toolkit and Support Pack—crafted in collaboration with the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA) and the Thin Green Line.

The International Ranger Federation proudly recognises rangers as frontline defenders of planetary health. Their diverse roles span from wildlife protection, law enforcement, environmental education, and community engagement to fire management, disease prevention, and sustainable resource use. These functions are fundamental to the effective management of Protected and Conserved Areas—whether carried out by state, community, Indigenous, or voluntary rangers.

Recent estimates (Appleton et al., 2022) suggest there are approximately 286,000 rangers globally. However, to achieve the global 30×30 conservation targets, this number must grow significantly—to 1.5 million skilled and well-supported rangers. This ambitious goal highlights the urgent need for increased investment in ranger training, resourcing, safety, fair working conditions, and diversity.

While much progress is still needed to elevate the ranger profession, today we pause to express our heartfelt appreciation for the sacrifices and service of every ranger.

“Let us take this World Ranger Day to be inspired by the extraordinary work rangers do,” says IRF President Chris Galliers. “Let’s honour these quiet heroes and work collectively to improve their safety, effectiveness, and recognition—because if they don’t protect our natural world, who will?”

WORLD RANGER DAY THEME

Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation

The 2025 World Ranger Day theme is Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation, which closely aligns with the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC), which will take place in 2025.

  • Rangers are key to delivering global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals and specific conservation targets including the Global Biodiversity Framework – Target 3 – protecting 30% of the planet by 2030.
  • Rangers help to create lasting, positive change for nature, by combining traditional knowledge with modern technology, they are revolutionising how we protect the planet.
  • Rangers are at the forefront of a global movement for transformative conservation

Join the movement:
As we celebrate World Ranger Day, we invite you to join the conversation on social media using the following hashtags. When sharing these materials online, please use the official hashtags to amplify our collective voice:

#WorldRangerDay2025
#WorldRangerDay
#WildlifeRangers
#RangersDeserveMore
#IStandWithRangers
#IAmARanger

*IUCN
Defines “transformative conservation” as both a process that rethinks relationships between individuals, society, and nature, and a desired outcome that conserves biodiversity while justly transitioning to net-zero emission economies and securing sustainable resource use.

Let’s come together to recognise the dedication, bravery, and passion of rangers who power transformative conservation.

IRF President Chris Galliers’ WRD Message

World Ranger Day Toolkit

This year’s toolkit is designed to help ranger associations and conservation partners around the globe raise awareness and celebrate the crucial work of rangers under the powerful theme: RANGERS: POWERING TRANSFORMATIVE CONSERVATION.

Whether you’ve organised a local event for the day, or you want to print a sign for your social media photos, there are many ways to help promote World Ranger Day using these resources and the “I/We Stand with the World’s Rangers” posters, check out the 10 Ways to Celebrate World Ranger Day link below.

You download individual elements via the links below. This year’s toolkit includes:

Video Resources

2025 Roll of Honour

IRF Board World Ranger Day Messages

WRD Webinars

Rangers: Powering Transformative Conservation

🗓️ Date: 31 July 2025 (Thursday)
🕓 Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (Indian Standard Time)
💻 Platform: Zoom

This World Ranger Day, we celebrate the brave men and women who protect our wildlife and wild places. From managing protected areas to responding to disasters and building community trust, rangers power transformative conservation efforts across Asia and beyond.

This webinar aims to amplify rangers’ voices, recognise their diverse and evolving roles, and reaffirm the urgent call for greater protection, recognition, and investment in their wellbeing and professional growth.

Hear inspiring stories directly from rangers, reflect on their challenges, and honour the heroes .

🔗 Registration link

🎥 Livestream on the IRF Facebook page

Celebrating Women Rangers: Contributions, Challenges, and the Way Forward

🗓️ Date: 31 July 2025 (Thursday)
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Indian Standard Time)
💻 Platform: Zoom

On World Ranger Day 2025, join us in honoring and celebrating women rangers — their contributions, the challenges they overcome, and the way forward for building more inclusive and resilient conservation leadership.

Women rangers play a vital role as biodiversity defenders, community builders, and agents of change on the frontlines. Despite facing unique barriers, they continue to inspire and lead efforts to protect our shared natural heritage.

🔗 Registration link

IRF Supporter World Ranger Day Videos

IRF and Thin Green Line World Ranger Day Videos

URSA and Force for Nature

On World Ranger Day, we commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and recognise the work Rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage.

Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on the courage and sacrifice that Rangers make; by honouring Fallen Rangers and standing with those who bravely undertake their critical role in nature.

Ranger Video’s

I am a Ranger Video