Greenspace Services

The duties of countryside and urban park rangers include patrolling, park maintenance, habitat improvement and management, interpretation and education, wildlife monitoring and surveying.

Patrolling

Patrols form a major part of the day, especially when the country parks are busy. Their job is to:

• provide assistance to members of the public;
• enforce park regulations and by-laws and to prevent anti-social behaviour;
• respond to urgent tasks that need doing around the parks (such as litter picking) thus ensuring that the parks are properly maintained;
• monitor wildlife.

Park maintenance

The rangers undertake a variety of maintenance tasks including footpath repairs, cutting back hedges, mowing and fencing to ensure that the parks remain in optimal condition for recreational use.

They also undertake health and safety inspections periodically to ensure safe access.

Habitat improvement and management
The parks are valuable refuges for many species of wildlife. Throughout the year, the rangers carry out sympathetic management schemes and habitat improvements to help protect and enhance the value of the habitats within the parks for wildlife. Schemes include tree planting, pond creation, grassland management and coppicing.

Interpretation and education

During the summer months, many schools visit the parks to study the natural environment. The rangers help organise and lead groups around the parks and carry out activities with them. In addition, they offer regular events for adults and children that aim to increase public understanding about their local environment and the organisms that live within it.

The rangers aim to cater for all ages and tastes. Events include children’s activity days, guided walks, fungal forays, evening lectures, kite making and bird-watching cruises.

Rangers are also responsible for indirect interpretation, leaflets, visitor centre displays, trail markings, maps and external displays.

Wildlife monitoring and surveying

Wildlife monitoring is extremely important, as it allows the rangers to keep a check on the wildlife within each park. This in turn allows them to choose the management schemes that will most benefit the wildlife present.

Charter

The Countryside Ranger Charter (pdf 762KB) is a summary of the standard of service you should expect from the countryside team. To use this file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this on your computer, please use our advice page.

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