The 3rd International Ranger Awards

Recognizes the remarkable work of rangers in protected areas around the world. Hosted by the IUCN, the IUCN-US, and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, in collaboration with the International Ranger Federation, Re:wild, Conservation Allies, Universal Ranger Support Alliance, and WWF Tigers Alive Initiative.

Geographic Scope: Global. Previous recipients from Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, DRC, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Uganda, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

Award Allocation: A total of $120,000 allocated to recognize 9 rangers or ranger teams:

• One award of $25,000
• One award of $20,000
• One award of $15,000
• Four awards of $10,000 each
• Two additional awards of $10,000 each specifically for rangers working to save tigers in protected areas

All awardees receive a unique uniform patch.

Eligible Use of Funds: Award funds can be used towards:

• Purchasing essential supplies or equipment
• Providing training
• Supporting the family of a deceased ranger
• Other ranger welfare activities

Eligibility Requirements

• Nominator Requirements: Nominations only accepted from an IUCN Member organization, an IRF member organization, or a WCPA member. Self-nominations not accepted.
• Nominee Requirements: Must operate in a Protected Area or OECM (Other Effective Conservation Measures) registered in the World Database of Protected Areas or the World Database of OECMs (see protectedplanet.net)
• Ranger Types: All types of rangers eligible including Indigenous, community, volunteer rangers, and those employed in protected and conserved areas
• Nomination Limits: Nominators can only nominate either an individual ranger or a team from a site; cannot nominate more than two nominations (must be from separate sites)
• Special Eligibility: Rangers who have been killed, seriously injured, or disabled during their work within the past 12 months are eligible for nomination
• Diversity: Nominations encouraged regardless of duties, gender, ethnicity, or geographic location. Organization actively welcomes nominations for female-identifying rangers, rangers from Indigenous and Local Communities, and rangers from minority or disadvantaged groups
• Financial Administration: All nominations must include details of a recognized organization able to transparently receive, distribute, administer, and account for the award funds (e.g., IUCN member organizations, recognized ranger associations, registered NGOs)

Selection Criteria

All nominations reviewed based on eligibility and award criteria:

• Exceptional personal commitment to a Protected Area or OECM
• Exceptional valor, fortitude, or resilience in the face of serious threats to a Protected Area or OECM
• Exceptional actions and impacts to safeguard a Protected Area or OECM

Nominees must clearly demonstrate how they have gone above and beyond normal duties. Quality nominations should include thorough but succinct responses with specific actions, locations/sites/areas, individuals, teams/communities/species involved, and evidence of exceptional work.

Contact Information

Address: 1630 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009
Tax Status: 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (Federal EIN ID: 84-3985727)

How To Nominate

1. Fill out the nomination form (found at rangeraward@iucn.org)
2. Provide all required nomination details
3. Include information about the recognized organization able to transparently receive, distribute, administer, and account for award funds (examples: registered NGO, recognized ranger association, IUCN member association)
4. Ensure thorough but succinct responses to all questions in the application
5. Include specific evidence such as:
   • Specific actions taken
   • Locations/site/area details
   • Individuals, teams, communities, or species involved
   • Ways such actions were exceptional

Review Process

1. Initial review committee identifies and shortlists nominations
2. Nominators of shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further details
3. Shortlist reviewed by judging panel comprising representatives of supporting organizations
4. Winners announced

Questions

For questions regarding nominations, contact: rangeraward@iucn.org