The aim of the project is to support the actors responsible for the management of protected areas in Germany in the expansion and improvement of area management systems and to adapt the relevant training courses to current needs.

The loss of biological diversity is progressing globally and also in Germany. In order to be able to effectively counteract the dramatic extinction of species, more protected areas are needed and professional management of these areas is also needed. More and more federal states are therefore starting to entrust rangers with the full-time care of protected areas. The project "RANGER - shaping the future of protected area management" will develop an overview of the current status of protected area management in Germany and test new innovations in order to further professionalize this field of work.

Measures:

• Preparation of a nationwide study on the current situation of protected area management of all area categories,
• Development of best practice examples and recommendations for protecting protected areas in a participatory process,
• Testing of management innovations in protected area management together with five protected area administrations.

Further information can be found (in German only) on the university project page.

(c) Johannes Müller, Naturwacht Brandenburg