Analyzing State Nature Conservation Work: Khotyn National Nature Park Case Study

Protecting nature and reserve areas in the face of destruction and pollution caused by aggressive russian invaders has become an extremely important task.

Among those entrusted with preserving the most valuable territories in Ukraine (national parks and reserves), the park rangers that occupy a prominent position. Despite challenging circumstances, they continue to carry out their important work, strive for professional development, and demand changes and improvements in conservation efforts.

Aware of these needs and challenges, the NGO Forestcom is involved in adapting and implementing the best global practices in nature management and conservation in Ukraine. 

The significance of this activity is confirmed by Eduard Arustamyаn, Director of the Department of Nature Reserves and Biodiversity of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine: "Despite the war, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine is actively working to reform the State Natural Reserve Fund of Ukraine, including the state nature conservation service. At the initiative of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Mr. Ruslan Strilets, a working group has been formed to address the reform of the reserve fund, particularly the state nature conservation service. We are also ready to support and provide the necessary assistance to national nature parks, as well as citizen initiatives aimed at improving the functioning of the Natural Reserve Fund."

In 2021, the NGO Forestcom published an analytical study on the problems faced by the park rangers in carrying out their duties. It may come as a surprise, but according to the rangers, neither poaching nor the destruction of endangered species are among the main issues in the NRF of Ukraine. Survey data indicate that most park rangers do not cooperate with other law enforcement agencies and do not document violations of conservation regulations. Instead, the main complaints are related to littering, off-road driving and quad bikes, non-compliance with recreational rules, and disrespectful behavior by visitors to the national parks.

Where does this understanding, and consequently the implementation of their duties, come from among the park rangers?

The training at the Khotyn National Nature Park only confirmed and summarized the previous findings regarding the causes and nature of problems in the work of state nature conservation. These include:

• Lack of higher and relevant specialized education
• Lack of knowledge of the basic legislation
• Insufficient communication skills

By the way, the training at the Khotyn National Nature Park is the second training organized by the NGO Forestcom for the State Nature Conservation Service; the first one was held last year at the Northern Podolia National Nature Park.

These reasons are further compounded by objective conditions of inadequate material support (e.g., lack of uniform since the establishment of the national park), insufficient social protection and low societal authority, low wages, and high demands and risks.

However, let's start from the beginning

The training "Effective Work Skills for Park Rangers of the State Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine" was a response to the lack of a comprehensive educational program at the state level that would cover all aspects of the work of employees in the nature reserve field. The NGO Forestcom team, together with the State Environmental Academy, developed a program based on the training of forest rangers in the US Forest Service.

The importance of professional development for inspectors of the State Nature Reserve Fund (SNRF) through such training is emphasized by Volodymyr Yarotskyy, an expert in eco-education, research, and biodiversity conservation at the NGO Forestcom: "In my personal opinion, the profession of a ranger in a national park is one of the best. It involves interaction with nature, challenges, boundless space for creativity, and a mission to protect and preserve it, teaching others to respect nature. I am very pleased to participate in the project of the NGO 'Forest Initiatives and Society,' which allows me to influence the competence and professionalism of national park inspectors in Ukraine."

The training consists of three practical modules that cover a range of topics:

• The value of biodiversity and the peculiarities of species that require assistance.
• Organization of patrol work and territory patrolling: legal aspects.
• Effective communication skills with visitors and managing crisis situations with offenders.

Considering the absence of an educational program, the NGO Forestcom team recommended that the State Environmental Academy organize such training for potential employees of the state conservation service (park rangers) before their employment.

Are the problems at the Khotyn National Nature Park different from typical ones?

The main problems faced by park rangers — material, psychological, institutional, and natural — are not unique to this reserve. They simply highlighted and specified the issues mentioned above. However, the trainers identified certain problematic aspects that we want to draw attention to and outline ways to overcome them and foster growth:

Problem 1: Addressing Prejudice and Biased Perceptions: Challenges in Conservation Service Training

Dealing with topics in psychology and communication skills with offenders/visitors was met with a certain level of bias among the participants. The bias stems from negative personal experiences that arise from the imperfections of legislation, practical difficulties in implementing certain regulatory provisions, and challenging social and material conditions. This conflict arises between "how things should be done" and "what is practically possible." Many SNRF inspectors acquire professional knowledge and skills while performing their duties, so they focus on what is practically possible rather than what is right.

✔ To overcome these problems, 

we propose regularly and systematically conducting similar training programs that take into account the needs of the participants. This should involve increasing the number of practical exercises, behavior models, and demonstrations of correct patterns (communication, response, and situation assessment models, etc.).

Problem 2: Staffing Crisis: A Critical Concern

According to the survey data of the participants, nearly half of them do not have higher education, with only a quarter having a natural (biological/ecological/geographical) education and 20% having a legal background. Among employees occupying the position of "SNRF Inspector," these numbers are even lower, with most having vocational technical education.

Nearly 70% of the training participants are over 40 years old. Therefore, most employees, lacking relevant basic professional education, have formed their life experience under completely different professional, socio-economic, and legal conditions. This experience often hinders their understanding of the functions of a nature reserve employee and, consequently, their ability to fulfill the duties assigned to an SNRF Inspector.

It is important to note that carrying out the tasks assigned to the state nature reserve service involves significant physical and psychological demands, requiring employees to be in good physical condition and have a high stress tolerance.

✔ Enhancing Staffing Situation: Solutions?

Involving young and promising employees with relevant professional education who are physically and psychologically fit for nature conservation work is not possible without adequate remuneration and social protection. Meanwhile, employees of the national park report that a personnel crisis is already occurring due to mobilization. There are cases of individuals going missing or becoming disabled during military service. It is evident that the personnel problem will only worsen in the near future.

Problem 3: Nature Reserve Employee Self-Identification

During the training, participants often used phrases like, "I have been working in forestry for over 30 years." This indicates that self-identification as a "nature reserve employee," the awareness that an inspector is engaged in nature conservation activities and not "forestry," has unfortunately not occurred.

✔ What can help change and improve the level of self-identification?

 

The problem of professional education and self-identification is fundamental. Resolving it depends on consolidated efforts at the government level, within state institutions, and within the community.

What are our main recommendations for the growth and development of the Khotyn National Nature Park's conservation service in the future?

• We believe that employees need to attend additional training on topics such as the structure and functioning of the nature reserve system in Ukraine, interpretation of wildlife, first aid provision, and the use of information technologies for field data collection and patrols. 
• It is worth implementing regular short-term specialized training programs on specific topics (legal regulations, communication psychology, etc.).
• A platform/environment/series of events should be created for informal communication and exchange of experiences among SNRF inspectors from different nature conservation institutions. This would allow for the discussion of problematic situations that arise during work and receive expert assistance (especially regarding legal issues). A similar goal could be achieved through an intensive week-long training for participants from various institutions (a selected group) at a training center.
• To enhance professional skills, we propose initiating competitions among SNRF inspectors similar to those for gamekeepers. In these competitions, inspectors could practice their essential professional skills in an exciting format and improve their level of expertise while preparing for them. Additionally, such a high-profile event would enhance the image of the state nature reserve conservation service.

“The NGO Forestcom strives to change the situation for the better. Last year, we organized a roundtable discussion on the "Prospects for the Development of the Park Ranger Service in Ukraine," which involved main stakeholders. As a result, we drafted a resolution containing recommendations for the reform of the Service in Ukraine, which was sent to the Ministry of Environment. Additionally, ForestCom experts conducted a series of webinars during the Nature Conservation Institutions Week. Furthermore, we regularly conduct off-site training sessions to enhance the qualifications of the State Nature Reserve Service staff," said Dmytro Karabchuk, the head of the NGO "Forestcom.

Unite for Greater Achievements!

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Explore our past publications on the topic:

• Analysis of forest protection problems in nature protection institutions + training plan of rangers
• The results of the round table conference “Prospects for the development of the state protection service of Nature Reserve Fund (NRF) of Ukraine”
• How the nature reserve institutions are protected: ForestCom organises a series of webinars and a round table discussion
• How the nature reserve institutions are protected: ForestCom organises a series of webinars and a round table discussion