Training Empowers Rangers at Dniprovsko Orilskyi Nature Reserve

From March 27th to March 29th, participants immersed themselves in three thematic modules, refining their abilities with hands-on sessions facilitated by ForestCom’s experts, including Dmytro Karabchuk, Ph.D., and Volodymyr Yarotskyy, a biodiversity and ecoeducation expert.

This training holds particular significance for the staff of the Dniprovsko Orilskyi Nature Reserve, nestled amid a unique landscape fraught with conservation challenges. As a vital sanctuary amidst industrial sprawl, the reserve shoulders the task of preserving nature in a densely developed region. Despite enduring habitat degradation due to anthropogenic activities like hydroelectric projects, the area harbors a rich biodiversity of rare and endangered species, including 12 from the European Red List and 39 from the Red Book of Ukraine,  139 species are subject to special protection under the Berne Convention, and about 40 regionally rare species. This unique location adds complexity to the task of nature conservation, making the training all the more valuable.

This is the fourth training that ForestCom has conducted for the National Park Rangers; however, for the first time, ForestCom tailored a session exclusively for the Nature Reserve, fostering collective conservation strategies among rangers, habitat engineers, and management. 

Traditionally, the first day of the training was initiated by the representative of the US Forest Service in Ukraine, Petro Pavlychenko, who expressed support to conservationists and all Ukrainians during challenging times, which we will overcome with dignity. Thematically, this day is dedicated to discussing the experience of similar conservation services in the USA and European countries, as well as the importance of preserving biological diversity, both in general and specifically in the reserve.

During the second day, the participants reviewed the legal acts related to violations of environmental legislation within the protected areas of Ukraine and solved situational tasks arising from offenses on the territory of protected areas. Discussions encompassed protocols for handling violations, with insights from seasoned conservationists like Dr. Maxym Vysochyn, Ph.D., an expert in nature conservation and leading researcher at the Kramatorskyi Regional Landscape Park.

The culmination of the training delved into stress management and communication techniques, recognizing the human element in enforcing conservation laws. Volodymyr Yarotskyy emphasized the importance of addressing stress responses to de-escalate confrontations effectively by noting, "the primary stress responses are fight, flight, or freeze. When you are an 'expert on stress' and help the violator overcome a stress reaction, they are less likely to resort to undesirable (and dangerous) actions like aggression or escaping. We often view violations of nature conservation regulations through the lens of legislation but rarely consider the psychological and physiological aspects. Forgetting that we are all humans first."

Notably, these sessions, crafted in partnership with the State Ecological Academy of Ukraine, fill a void in formalized ranger education. ForestCom's commitment to refining the skills of Ukrainian nature reserve professionals is a step towards enhancing conservation efforts nationwide.

🌿 Attention National Park Leaders and Staff: Similar tailored sessions are available for your institution. Reach out to explore collaboration opportunities!

This event was conducted under the "Combating Illegal Logging in Ukraine" project, supported by the U.S. Forest Service International Programs Office.

Previous publications related to the topic:

• Analyzing State Nature Conservation Work: Khotyn National Nature Park Case Study
• 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
• A training session for Ukrainian rangers took place in the Carpathian National Nature Park