This is for a 4" x 5" PATCH  reading,  WORLD RANGER DAY - 2018 - CSPRA - IRF - STATE PARK RANGER PATRICIA M. SCULLY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

There was a very special World Ranger Day (WRD) at San

Gregorio State Beach on July 31, 2018 to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice

made by over 100 rangers around the world in 2017 and to celebrate the ongoing

efforts of all protectors, guardians, maintainers and educators who service in

parks and protected areas around the globe. The event was organized by

California State Park Rangers Association (CSPRA) with California State Parks

and the International Ranger Federation (IRF).

World Ranger Day is celebrated worldwide on July 31st to

commemorate rangers killed in the line of duty and to celebrate the work

rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural

heritage.  WRD was conceived by the

International Ranger Federation (IRF) and was first observed in 2007. The IRF

was established in 1992 and has a membership of 90 Ranger associations

(including CSPRA) from over 50 countries, on six of the seven continents. The

IRF is a non-profit organization established to raise awareness of and support

the critical work that Rangers do in conserving the world’s natural and

cultural heritage.  IRF's ranger

definition is quite broad, “A Ranger is the person involved in the practical

protection and preservation of all aspects of wild areas, historical and

cultural sites. Rangers provide recreational opportunities and interpretation

of sites while providing links between local communities, protected areas and

area administration.”  More on the IRF at

www.internationalrangers.org.

One special part of the event was remembering Ranger

Patricia Scully, who while on patrol on May 6, 1976, was killed by a reckless

drunk driver (later convicted of felony manslaughter).  Pat's brother Tom and sister Peggy

Scully-Linder attended the event and spoke about Pat and her contribution state

parks.  On June 1, 2013, a section of

California Highway 1 was dedicated as the State Park Ranger - Patricia M.

Scully - Memorial Highway.  Patricia

Scully was the first (and to this day the only) California state park ranger

(peace officer) killed in the line of duty and, at the time of her death, was

only the second female peace officer killed in California.

The International Ranger Federation (IRF) World Ranger Congress brings together Rangers from all over the world, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, share knowledge and create partnerships. It occurs every three years in a different location, allowing host countries from each IRF region to raise the profile of Rangers locally and internationally. It allows them to showcase their successes, to identify how they’re addressing their regional challenges and share their knowledge and skills with colleagues from around the world.

Park rangers, their ranger associations, and the IRF

ensure the world?s terrestrial and marine parks, and the flora and fauna

that live in them, are protected from vandalism, poaching, theft,

exploitation or destruction.  As guardians of our natural and cultural resources, rangers are first

on the scene of illegal or unsustainable exploitation of these

resources, often at great personal risk.  Regional conflict, civil war and political unrest also greatly impact protected areas and the rangers that manage them.  Our rangers require special support structures, training and equipment to carryout their jobs.  IRF provides training, capacity building and exchange programs to its

members in order to ensure park rangers are well trained and properly

equipped to manage the world?s most precious wildernesses.  The IRF also advocates for good governance and the enactment of

enforceable laws that protect rangers from assaults while performing

their duties.  The IRF is the voice of park rangers, in the international community,

in calling for greater support for rangers in carrying out their vital

role in the protection of our world.

Keywords:  park ranger, conservation

law enforcement officer, warden, national parks, local and regional park

officer, badge, flash, patch, pin, superintendent, California Beaches &

parks, CA state park system, division of parks, peace officer, police,

Yosemite, NPS, USFS, forest, forestry, forest service, department of natural resources,