Rangers to combat anti-social behaviour
Seasonal rangers will once again be ‘on patrol’ in the Cairngorms National Park this year to try and keep a lid on anti-social behaviour.
The board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) agreed at an online meeting to finance a seasonal ranger service for 2021, supporting existing services during what is expected to be another busy visitor management season.
It comes after the service was established last year to deal with the high number of visitors who descended on the park when the first lockdown was lifted.
While the majority of visitors behaved themselves, there were issues in relation to fires, litter, human waste and traffic problems.
The move creates nine new jobs with a further five ‘Kickstart’ youth placement opportunities for young people seeking a start in this type of career for which funding has been secured through a collective UK National Parks bid.
Grant Moir, chief executive of the CNPA, explained: “Given that people are highly likely to opt for a ‘staycation’ again this year, we aim to establish a seasonal ranger service again in 2021.
“We need budget approval to do this now so that the recruitment process can get underway with staff trained and ready to go in time for Easter.
“Land managers, estate workers and ranger services were stretched to the limit in 2020 so it was with much gratitude that our team of seasonal rangers were able to hit the ground running and help out in particular hotspot areas. We want to be able to do this again for 2021.”
CNPA board convener and councillor for the Perth and Kinross Highland ward Xander McDade, added: “Visitors are essential to our economic recovery and while we love to welcome visitors to the park, we want to ensure that everyone has a great time, respects the park, its communities, landscapes and wildlife.
“The seasonal ranger service is vital to ensure we have capacity to support our local communities. The extra ‘boots on the ground’ proved invaluable in 2020, engaging with visitors and helping people to act responsibly.
“I am particularly delighted about the recruitment of five young people through the ‘Kickstart’ scheme providing valuable employment and training opportunities.
“This reinforces the CNPA commitment to supporting youth employment opportunities to ensure we have a park for all.”
The rangers will start to patrol the park in March and stay in place until October.
The initiative will cost around £236,000 with a further commitment of £3000 to augment the seasonal ranger service with five ‘Kickstart’ youth placement opportunities.