BY: SHALLON S. GONLOR / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
Nimba: Liberia’s Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Thursday joins other African countries to celebrate World Ranger Day, observed annually on 31 July.
The day is a significant moment to honour the courageous men and women safeguarding the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage.
The 2025 theme, “Rangers: Powering Transformative Conservation”, highlights the expanding scope of ranger responsibilities. Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on the courage and sacrifice that Rangers make; by honouring Fallen Rangers and standing with Rangers who bravely undertake their role on the frontline. At the forefront of this workforce are rangers and protected area workers – encompassing ecoguards, community volunteers, and others. Their work includes protection, conservation, monitoring, visitor services, fire management, law enforcement, education, community support, and regulation of sustainable use.
These guardians of wildlife and wilderness play a crucial role in fostering a more sustainable and inclusive future across Liberia and beyond. Their work extends well beyond traditional conservation. Rangers serve as peacekeepers, first responders, educators, community leaders, and frontline defenders of biodiversity. Through their dedication, Liberia Forestry Development Authority comes closer to reaching global objectives like protecting 30% of the natural habitats by 2030 (30×30) and enhancing climate resilience in vulnerable ecosystems.
Liberia Protected Forests:
Liberian forests represent over half of the remaining rainforests in West Africa, and they are dominated by moist evergreen forests and semi-deciduous forests – predominantly found in North Liberia (FAO, 2015).
The Protected Forest Area Network Act (2003) aims to protect at least 30% of the existing forest area of Liberia, representing about 1.5 million hectares.
Liberia currently has five main protected forest areas: the Sapo National Forest (Sinoe County), the East Nimba Nature Reserve (Nimba County), the Lake Piso Multiple Use Reserve, the Gola National Forest Park (Gbarpolu County), and the Grebo-Krahn National Park (River Gee County/Sinoe), covering a total area of 454,800 ha, or 4.1 % of the country’s area.
For Nimba County, the Chief Park Warden at the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR), Catherine Kuku Dolo took to her Facebook page to celebrate World Ranger Day, highlighting continuing protection and safeguarding nature. Stretching from the ENNR’ forest, dedicated men and women rangers are undertaking animal, plant, and aquatic surveillance, in the forest community raising awareness about the importance of biosecurity.
Catherine Kuku Dolo urged the public to pay respect and honour the vital work rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage.
“Respect our nature’s real life heroes, the Rangers on this day and honor them.” She added, “In a world where you can be anything, decide to be caring and kind, protect and save nature.”
Ms. Dolo further emphasized “as we observed the World Ranger’s Day 2025 under the theme ‘Rangers Powering Tranformative Conservation,’ remind us that rangers are not only protectors, but changemakers.
Dolo encouraged the community to recognize rangers and ecoguards braving the courage to put their lives on the line in wildlife conservation.
“We ask that you remember Rangers, and Ecoguards across the world on the frontline of conservation. Remember their sacrifices, their passions, and their dedications,” Chief Park Warden noted.
Unfortunately, the dangers rangers face are escalating. Protected areas across Liberia are increasingly affected by criminal activities, including hunting, farming, and logging.
