What we do
The Countryside Ranger Service is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds. They all have a good knowledge of wildlife and the countryside, an enthusiasm for natural history and environmental issues as well as a desire and ability to communicate this to the general public.
The Ranger Service assists in the management of the landscape by:
- helping visitors to enjoy the East Lothian countryside and enhancing their experience
- ensuring effective management of East Lothian Council controlled sites, which have a potential for leisure, informal recreation or nature conservation purposes
Interpretation
An important part of the rangers job is to provide information to the general public on wildlife and countryside matters. Our aim is to enhance peoples enjoyment of the countryside, while helping them to appreciate its importance and the need to conserve it for future generations.
Countryside Rangers meet and talk to people during regular patrols, and also through more formal guided walks, talks and natural history events throughout the year. They also lead a number of school group activities; from rock-pool studies to woodland walks and geological explorations.
Conservation and Monitoring
In order to understand and help manage the countryside for conservation, we undertake a range of survey work. This includes counting the numbers of visitors to a site, monitoring bird populations along the coast and conducting specific plant surveys.
Access
We have always had an involvement in issues relating to access to the countryside. This includes operating on the rights of way and public access network, investigating access issues and liasing with landowners, user groups and the local community.
