Timmins, Hannah

Inland waters – such as rivers, lakes and other wetlands – are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. They are also the most threatened; almost one in three species is at risk of extinction and monitored populations of freshwater species have declined by 85% since 1970. The loss of these ecosystems has cascading effects on human livelihoods, cultures and our overall well-being.

This is the first volume in the WCPA Good Practice Guidelines that is predominantly by rangers, for rangers. The editors worked with partners to collect good practices and stories from rangers worldwide, reflecting global experience and lessons learned. The text focuses on actions that rangers, and to a lesser extent managers, can do themselves. It does not address institutional changes that would need intervention at government level.

The passing of the IUCN Resolution 041 (Development of objective criteria for a Green List of species, ecosystems and protected areas) at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju Island, South Korea in September 2012 provided an important indication of government and NGO support for the principle of the Green Status of Species. However, there was no indication of what the GSS method would look like. Since then, those details have been worked out by technical specialists.