Awards joy for young Rangers
NINETEEN teenagers have been recognised for their dedicated hard work and efforts towards conserving Dartmoor National Park, learning new skills and growing their self-awareness.
The group, all of who have been involved in Dartmoor National Park Authority’s (DNPA) Junior and Youth Ranger schemes since April this year, were presented with an armful of certificates celebrating their achievements at a ‘graduation’ ceremony at Parke on Saturday 16 November.
In a new approach piloted by DNPA, the teenagers were able to work towards a suite of honours: a Junior or Youth Ranger Award, a John Muir Conserver Award, a Europarc Junior Ranger Certificate and the Institute of Outdoor Learning’s National Outdoor Learning Award.
The ceremony allowed DNPA to present the teenagers with their accolades, congratulate them for their achievements and thank them for their inspiring and committed work.
Authority Chair Pamela Woods said: “We were very impressed with their presentations; all of which were delivered with humour, inspiration and confidence. They all showed they’d built a connection with the natural world and, at the same time, developed self-esteem and social skills which will be of great benefit in the years to come.
“The project is mutually beneficial: young people build their skills and experience while carrying out tasks useful to the environment, landscape and culture on Dartmoor. In turn, Dartmoor benefits from their enthusiasm and commitment which they may carry forward into the rest of their lives, inspiring others to do the same.
“The programme reflects DNPA's confidence in young people to contribute significantly to the preservation and enhancement of Dartmoor's special qualities. Well done to everyone involved!”
Thirteen teenagers completed the Junior Ranger scheme, DNPA's hugely successful and nationally recognised programme of educational work.
Junior Rangers connects young people aged between 13 – 16 with the special qualities of Dartmoor while promoting conservation, understanding, enjoyment and responsible use.
The ‘Rangers-in-the-making’ completed a range of practical conservation tasks including clearing invasive vegetation, footpath maintenance and litter picking. This was combined with valuable learning experiences linked to the environment such as a ‘citizen science’ survey for charity Plantlife.
The Youth Rangers scheme, for those aged 16 – 18, has been developed by DNPA this year in response to the growing appetite among young people to learn more about this special landscape.
Six teenagers got stuck into more challenging and stimulating activities, such as a two-day certificated stone walling course. Participants also completed a set amount of volunteering work, with the added bonus it would help them achieve a John Muir Conserver Award, something which represents 20 days (or equivalent) time commitment in discovering, exploring, conserving and sharing their Dartmoor experience.
The group presented their work in front of a packed audience at the graduation ceremony. They did this in a range of creative ways including poetry and a film which you can watch on Dartmoor National Park’s website.
DNPA was represented by Chair Pamela Woods, Chief Executive Kevin Bishop, Ranger Team Leader Simon Lee, Ranger Pete Rich and Senior Learning and Outreach Officer Orlando Rutter.
Ranger Team Manager Simon Lee said: “It was fantastic seeing everyone get stuck in, try new things and learn more about Dartmoor. I am really impressed with how hard they all worked. They were all tireless in their commitment to voluntary conservation work. They are all excellent ambassadors for Dartmoor National Park and I am really pleased their work has been recognised.”
As well as their Junior/Youth Ranger certificates, all were given John Muir, Europarc Junior Ranger and National Outdoor Learning awards.
