Abu Dhabi, 11 October 2025, (IUCN) – The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) has presented 13 rangers and ranger teams with the 2025 International Ranger Awards, recognising their incredible dedication to nature conservation.
The International Ranger Awards are intended to honour the courage, resilience, and perseverance of rangers across the world, displaying their achievements, raising public awareness about the importance of such professionals, and providing winners with funds to support the land they help protect.
This year, the WCPA – in collaboration with Conservation Allies, Universal Ranger Support Alliance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature – has extended awards to six individuals and seven teams with prizes between $5,000 and $25,000. The recipients hail from 13 different countries around the globe, including Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
"The 2025 International Ranger Awards shine a spotlight on the courage, dedication, and tireless commitment of rangers around the world. These individuals and teams are the frontline defenders of our planet’s most precious ecosystems. From nurturing endangered species, to protecting fragile landscapes amid threats and hardship, their work inspires us all and reminds us that protecting nature is not only a responsibility but a shared mission,”
Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, said.
“Today, we celebrate their extraordinary achievements and reaffirm our collective commitment to support and empower the rangers who are on the frontlines of safeguarding our natural heritage for generations to come."
From scientific research and community outreach, to anti-poaching patrols and endangered species protection, this diverse group of rangers have demonstrated their extraordinary commitment to value and conserve nature.
