Insights from the 2025 African Ranger Congress

Rangers are the backbone of Africa’s conservation efforts, patrolling remote landscapes to protect wildlife and habitats from poaching, conflict, and other threats. Their work is central to achieving ambitious targets, yet it often comes with significant personal risk and little recognition. The African Ranger Congress provides a platform for these frontline teams to connect, share experiences, and develop practical solutions to the challenges they face.

The 2025 Congress, held at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya, had record attendance, bringing together 150 delegates from 20 countries. It also had the highest female participation in ARC’s history, and unique perspectives from rangers in conflict zones such as Ethiopia, Madagascar, and the Central African Republic. Delegates came from community, state, NGO, and private conservation sectors, offering a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing rangers across Africa.

During a three-day event, delegates tackled a range of challenges shaping ranger work, including welfare and mental health, operating in high-risk areas, gender equity, human-wildlife conflict, marine ranger capacity, and the practical use of technology in training. Grounded in field experience, discussions highlighted what has been working, where improvements are needed, and how cross-border collaboration can strengthen ranger effectiveness.

One of the most significant outcomes was the adoption of the Lewa Call to Action, the updated African Ranger Declaration, which sets out rangers’ priorities for training, equipment, safety, welfare, mental health support, and professional recognition. The declaration will now feed into the International Ranger Federation and the 2027 World Ranger Congress in Argentina, amplifying the voices of Africa’s rangers on a global stage.

ForRangers’ support as Headline Sponsor enabled rangers from remote and under-resourced areas to attend, helping the Congress reflect the continent’s full diversity. Sam Taylor, founder of ForRangers, presented in the session “Support Systems, Ranger Resiliency and Mental Health,” offering valuable insights into programmes designed to improve ranger wellbeing. The presentation highlighted how unaddressed stress can seriously affect field effectiveness, financial stability, and family wellbeing, and included practical recommendations such as establishing peer “buddy” systems and confidential discussion spaces, providing early counselling after traumatic events, offering financial literacy programmes, encouraging sport and recreation as low-cost stress relief, and incorporating leadership courses, resilience training, and rangers’ families into wellness initiatives.

Twelve thematic sessions covered topics from welfare and mental health to technology, operational competence, and community-based conservation. The event sparked new cross-border collaborations and strengthened partnerships between ranger associations, NGOs, and government agencies, with follow-up workshops and initiatives already planned to carry lessons forward and provide ongoing support to rangers across the continent.

The Congress gave rangers the chance to connect with peers, exchange practical knowledge, and access new tools to support their work. It strengthened morale, highlighted the value of a broader professional network, and reinforced the Leadership Council of the Ranger Welfare & Standards Initiative, creating a continent-wide system for mentorship, guidance, and ongoing professional support that will be essential for sustaining ranger wellbeing and continuity in conservation work.

Supporting frontline teams strengthens both ranger welfare and professional standards, while also improving the protection of threatened species and ecosystems. Rangers who are properly equipped, supported, and connected are better able to safeguard rhinos, elephants, and countless other species, making a lasting impact on the landscapes they protect.

The 2025 African Ranger Congress at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy surpassed all expectations, and demonstrated the value of collaboration, practical support, and amplifying ranger voices. By providing spaces for learning, connection, and advocacy, the event was able to reinforce the vital role of rangers in Africa’s conservation efforts.