The SANParks Honorary Rangers donated skills and time, and raised funds to the tune of R100 million during the 2023/2024 year.
South Africa (17 December 2024) – The SANParks Honorary Rangers published the 2024 Integrated Report, which details all the work of their various teams spread throughout South Africa. It also celebrates the organisation’s 60th anniversary year.
The Honorary Rangers contributed R100 million to the SANParks through support, material assistance, travel and volunteer hours in 2023/2024. This shows a whopping 26% growth in last year’s contribution.
“The dedication of our members is born out of a deep love for nature and our natural heritage. They work with a commitment that is inspiring, and it is humbling to see what our members can achieve in the spirit of volunteering.” – Paul Colditz, National Chairperson
SANParks Honorary Rangers is the official SANParks volunteer organisation, functioning according to an official agreement with SANParks. It is a group of passionate volunteers who give their time and skills freely to support conservation in South African national parks. SANParks Honorary Rangers provide the people of South Africa and the business community with the opportunity to support South Africa’s national parks and are SANParks’ preferred channel for public support.
During the 23/24 year, 2,125 members volunteered 390,139 hours at an average of 184 hours per member. These activities included support for K9 units and rangers, anti-poaching initiatives, snare removals, wildlife monitoring (such as lion collaring and camera traps), plant conservation, walkway repairs, trail maintenance and environmental education.
Volunteers give their time in lots of fun ways that involve the general public, too. Funds raised from hosting bush camps, birding weekends, sporting events, and musical concerts are allocated to projects in South Africa’s national parks, according to a SANParks wish list. This ensures that priority conservation needs are met.
“The mission of the SANParks Honorary Rangers is to support SANParks to develop, expand, manage and promote a system of sustainable national parks that represents biodiversity and heritage assets. This is achieved by the strong working relationship between SANParks and the SANParks Honorary Rangers, enhanced further by the passion of the volunteer members”. – Jimmy Telle, SANParks Honorary Rangers CEO
These efforts will go even further thanks to a Collaboration Agreement between SANParks and the Honorary Rangers, which sees the “extending our working relationship and emphasising the trust that SANParks places in the SHR to provide the necessary support and services”, said Telle.
If you are interested in the full report, it is available from the website www.sanparksvolunteers.org/about-us/reports/. You can also find out more about becoming an Honorary Ranger here.
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