A Successful Year -2024
Reflecting on a year of achievements for the Ranger Service.
The Ranger Annual Report has been published, providing a detailed look at the work we’ve accomplished, the milestones we’ve reached, and the impact we’ve made across the Highlands. You can read the report here:
but let me summarise some of the highlights!
A Year of Growth and Engagement
Our team have connected with 11,857 people face-to-face, a 4% increase from the previous year, highlighting the continued public enthusiasm for engaging with nature and heritage. Our school visits saw remarkable growth, with 240 visits and 5,898 pupils engaged – a staggering 92% rise. This contact with the next generation helps to connect young people with nature and understand the importance of biodiversity to our future on this planet.
Volunteers have played a pivotal role, contributing over 1,500 hours of their time to projects ranging from beach cleans to biodiversity monitoring. Their dedication has been vital in amplifying our impact and nurturing a sense of community stewardship for the environment.
This year has been one of innovation and impact as we brought together communities, schools, and individuals to engage with nature in meaningful ways. Among the standout achievements was the Puddles to Ponds project, a transformative initiative that involved schools and communities in creating new aquatic habitats. Its success extended beyond local impact, earning international recognition through a feature at the 2024 International Pond Conference. This platform showcased the innovative approach of combining pond creation with education, further cementing the project’s role in biodiversity enhancements and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.
Equally impactful was the Big Highland Pollinator Count, which saw over a hundred community members across the region contributing valuable data to support pollinator populations. This citizen science effort highlighted the power of collective action and community enthusiasm for preserving pollinator habitats. The findings of this significant project are now available in a detailed report, which provides insights into the health of pollinators across the Highlands.
In March 2024, the Shelf Life climate education project brought people together in libraries across the Highlands. This initiative engaged over 150 participants of all ages in workshops that tackled pressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and carbon literacy. By sparking meaningful discussions and equipping participants with the knowledge to take action, Shelf Life demonstrated how education can inspire change and deepen connections to sustainability.
Celebrating Success
This year has also been marked by recognition of our team's dedication and achievements. We were honoured to win Gold in the International Green Apple Awards this year, celebrating the community-driven conservation meadow creation project the Meadow Mosaic, with the Highland Environment Forum (HEF).
We also won the Environment Category in the Seriously Social Awards the Community Leisure UK national awards, recognising High Life Highland’s efforts in connecting communities with nature and conservation work.
We were also proud to celebrate the achievements of individuals within our team. Andy Summers, our Senior Ranger for North Highland, received an Outstanding Achievement Award at our own High Life Highland Staff Awards this year. This award recognises Andy’s unwavering commitment to community work engaging people with the natural environment. He’s also an amazing nature writer so look out some of his work on the Substack Nature Unveiled.
These accolades reflect the hard work and passion of both Andy and the entire ranger team, our partners, and the volunteer efforts in communities we serve.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, we are building on this year’s successes with ambitious plans to expand our habitat restoration projects, including extending the wildflower meadow initiative with the introduction of seed libraries and increasing citizen science opportunities. Our online platform, Nature Unveiled, will continue to grow, sharing more nature insights, stories, and resources to engage an ever-wider audience. A key focus will be strengthening our partnership with community libraries, creating spaces for in-person gatherings and continuing outdoor workshops and events. Additionally, we aim to give a significant boost to the ‘Eco Schools Status’ in the Highlands, inspiring young people to conserve natural and cultural heritage. Though a deeper understanding and appreciation of the environment, we can build a stronger community of nature lovers and turn the tide of biodiversity loss together. You can support us by sharing and restacking articles you’ve enjoyed to help grow this movement.
A Note of Thanks
None of this would be possible without the incredible effort of our entire ranger team, our dedicated volunteers, and the unwavering support of our partners and communities and you the readers of this blog.
Every school visit, guided walk or nature event, and volunteer supported conservation project makes a difference in protecting and celebrating the unique natural heritage of the Highlands.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re making a lasting impact, and we look forward to another year of connection, conservation, and growth.
Congratulations on a great year and best wishes for 2025.
What a year! Congratulations to you all and very best wishes for 2025 :0)