Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action promotes Regional Meeting of Nature Rangers on Terceira Island - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

This Wednesday, July 31, the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, marked World Ranger Day with a Regional Meeting of Nature Rangers on the island of Terceira.

The government official praised the fundamental role of Nature Rangers in protecting the extraordinary natural heritage of the Azores. They "are the first line of defence for environmental quality, the conservation and promotion of the natural heritage and, ultimately, the safeguarding of the sustainable development of the Region."

"The Regional Government, through this department, has focused on improving the working conditions of our Nature Rangers as a priority over the last three years. This has been done in recognition of the relevance of the role of Nature Rangers in this demanding mission and their importance in terms of collaboration with various Regional and Local Public Administration departments, as well as in terms of environmental awareness and education," stressed Alonso Miguel. 

"The Regional Government has made a significant financial effort to outfit and train Nature Rangers from an operational standpoint," he continued.

Alonso Miguel highlighted the recruitment of another 12 Nature Rangers and the acquisition of essential equipment for their efficient performance, namely pick-up vehicles, pneumatic boats and machinery, an investment of about one million Euros.

"Various training programmes have also been organised and drones have been purchased for each of the nine Environment and Climate Change Services, corresponding to an investment of about 60 thousand Euros, which are now at the service of Nature Rangers," he stressed.

The Regional Secretary also noted that "the purchase of uniforms for Nature Rangers has been completed, except the purchase of mountain equipment for the Pico Rangers, so that a more regular presence on the mountain trail can be guaranteed, representing an overall investment of more than 100 thousand Euros over the last three years."

Alonso Miguel voiced "dissatisfaction and disappointment" at the fact that upgrades to the Nature Ranger career have yet to be implemented, following the assurance given by the previous National Government, through the Secretary of State for Nature Conservation and Forests, at the World Meeting of Nature Rangers held in Faial in October last year.

He pointed out that "the Regional Government, within the reach of its powers, has promoted 17 Nature Rangers, with effect from August 1."

At the end of the ceremony, the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action honoured the longest-serving Nature Rangers in the Azores with commendations, "in fair recognition of the work they have done and the contribution they have made to environmental preservation for more than 20 years."

This two-day meeting includes an educational component, with training provided by the Regional Environment Inspectorate on the theme of "environmental offences and the drawing up of reports." It also includes several field activities, such as the Algar do Carvão - Furnas do Enxofre hiking trail, promoted and maintained by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, within a Nature Island Park area, and visits to various areas where LIFE projects are taking place on Terceira Island.

This trail was created by the operational team of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action and stretches between the Algar do Carvão and Furnas do Enxofre Natural Monuments, offering magnificent panoramic views of various geological formations and geosites, such as the Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, Pico Alto or Caldeira de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros, where it is possible to walk along patches of laurel forest and native flora, and also visit the Furnas do Enxofre Fumarole Field.