The ranger service

The ranger service aims to improve the quality of life for local people now and for future generations through the promotion, protection and development of safe and accessilbe woodland parks and nature reserves. Together with the support of the landscape section and Street Scene staff, the rangers will help to raise the standards of woodland parks throughout the town.

The rangers all have specialist skills including environmental education, events and activities provision, sensitive habitat mangement and monitoring.

The nine woodland parks now offering the ranger service are Birchwood Forest Park, Burtonwood Lcoal Nature Reserve, Culcheth Linear, Lymm Dam, Oakwoodgate, Risley Moss, Rixton Claypits, Sankey Valley and the Transpennine Trail.

The ranger service will deliver many benefits such as the protection of wildlife and promotion of nature conservation. The rangers wil work with and involve the community in their local green environments to increase awareness of the wildlife and heritage value of parks and green spaces.

A comprehensive programme of public events will take place including community festivals, health walks and family activities. The ranger service offers environmental education opportunitites to local schools. Topics include pond dipping and minibeast studies, conservation and biodiversity issues and the human effects on the environment.

The rangers will provide a reassuring identifiable presence helping to combat anti social behaviour, creating safer environment for people to enjoy when they visit these sites.

Several local parks Risley Moss, Lymm Dam and Walton Hall have already been awarded the prestigious Green Flag, the national standard for excellence. The ranger service plays a key part in ambitious plans to make sure all our parks achieve Green Flag status in the future.

There are plenty of opportunities for people to get involved and volunteer by attending a practical conservation event or by joining an exiting parks friends group.

Look in our comprehensive 'What's on' events programme for guided walks, historic trails, community days, arts activities and children’s environmental events. Walks, talks and other activities are also available for community groups and organisations. Click the following link for a downloadable booklet . If you would like this publication supplied as an audio version please contact rangers@warrington.gov.uk