The Ranger ERA
The ERA has decided to publish its newsletter as a webpage rather than as a newsletter emailed out to its members.
We have taken this decision in reponse to the views of our members who have said that they would prefer the option of viewing information as part of their visit to the website.
This also helps to reduce the amount of email we all receive.
A regular screenshot of the The Ranger ERA page will be archive as a document and can be viewed on our downloads page.
Rick Gale one of the founders of the International Ranger Federation died of aheart attack last on Friday 27th March 2009
Please see the IRF News page for more details of Rick Gale's life.
He was a 'real' Ranger and will be sadly missed.
ERA Study Visit to the
Nene Park Trust. Peterborough
Wednesday 10th June 2009 meet at 10am
The morning will consist of a series of presentation about the Nene Park Trust and how it operates then after lunch (please bring a packed lunch or you can use the onsite facilities) there will be a site visit to look at how things work 'in the field'.
We will then have abit of time for a question and answer session.
As always with ERA Study Visits we will then retire to a local drinking establishment to discuss the day and the way forward for the ERA.
It is a real opportunity to view a well known and respected Park, get the inside story on how it works, the pro's and con's of running as a Trust and share in the knowledge and experience these guys have.
Our Thanks goes to Steve Wickens and his colleagues at the Nene Park Trust for hosting this ERA Study event.
The National Trust, Cornwall
Tuesday 13th October 2009 meet at the car park at Penare at 10am
More details to follow but this is an excellent opportunity to view the work of the National Trust in Cornwall.
ERA Study Visit to Sheffield
The ERA study visit to Firth Park in Sheffield prove to be a very successful exercise.
A small but select band of people (where were you?) heard presentations by Members of Sheffield City Council's Ranger Service and then took part in a guided walk around Firth Park and up to Winco bank. We were blessed with some good weather and the views from 'on the top' of the bank were stunning.
The main purpose of the visit was to look at the range of activities that Sheffield Rangers undertook and to see how they blended caring for the environment with meeting the needs of a diverse communty.
I have to say that what came over was the strength of committment demonstrated by the Ranger Team. As with so many Ranger Services, the good Rangers of Sheffield proved that if you work hard to get the trust and participation of the local community, then great things can be achieved.
There were no magic answers here, just attention to detail, understanding of the issues and patience.
I was particularly interested in the River Stewardship Company which is a non profit making social enterprise created to provide riverside organisations with the means to improve their section of riverside through tidying up the banks and enhancing the habitats found along it. The RSC also hopes to help raise the profile of the River Don through increasing knowledge and interest about the recreational benefits of using the riverside and the valuable wildlife and flora found along it.
The RSC is supported by a partnership of Groundwork Sheffield, Sheffield City Council, Environment Agency, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Five Weirs Walk Trust and Upper Don Valley Walk Trust, and covers the area from Neepsend, Rutland Road up to the Tinsley Viaduct.
Main objectives of the River Stewardship Company:
- The RSC offer businesses backing onto the river help and support to maintain the riverbanks through a series of different business packages. These will include habitat creation work, waste and flood debris removal, tree work and removal and management of invasive species.
- The River Stewards will be co-ordinating and liaising with other agencies involved in maintaining the waterways, to facilitate better standards of maintenance and a quick response to issues such as fly tipping.
- The River Stewards will encourage and enable volunteers to take an active role in the maintenance of the waterways, and generate revenue by providing corporate employee volunteering opportunities to businesses.
- The River Stewards provide a visible presence on the waterways by conducting regular patrols in close conjunction with partners including South Yorkshire Police, SCC City Centre Ambassadors and Streetforce.
- The River Stewards also run school education sessions and events along the river.
Many thanks to Simon and Scott for such a great visit.
