António Ventura marked Regional Forest Ranger Day
Horta
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, marked Regional Forest Ranger Day on Wednesday in Faial, praising these professionals as “sustainability activists” who greatly contribute to the preservation and development of the Region’s rich forest heritage.
"It is important to recognise the importance of forest rangers for our Region, as they work in a wide range of economic, recreational, social and environmental areas," stated the government official.
António Ventura added that forest rangers “are part of the development of the Azores, having been involved in opening up many paths, providing access for agriculture and communities, and ensuring awareness of forest conservation for a long time.”
"The Azoreans regard forest rangers as guardians and promoters of our forest and its specific diversity, which occupies 30% of the Region's territory," he added.
Producing plants in nurseries, monitoring construction work, improving and maintaining forest and rural roads, and restoring uncultivated pastures, in addition to ensuring their maintenance and treatment, are also part of the duties of forest rangers in the Azores.
At the same time, they are also responsible for managing hunting and fishing resources, supervising hunting and fishing in ponds and streams, and conducting censuses.
Regional Forest Ranger Day was established in 1997 as a public recognition of the important role played by these professionals in the conservation and rational use of the Azores' forest and natural resources.
The Mayor of Horta, Carlos Ferreira, attended the celebration. He praised the organisation of this event on Faial Island and the work of forest rangers in the Azores.
