Riyadh: The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) launched the National Professional Standard for Rangers today during a workshop titled 'National Professional Standard for Rangers: Aspiration and Empowerment.' The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Chairman of the NCW Abdulrahman Alfadley, with attendance by NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban, President of the International Ranger Federation Chris Galliers, and various environmental experts and specialists.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the standard is formulated using a competency-based methodology tailored to Saudi Arabia's environmental landscape. A specialized team developed the standard by analyzing and defining each task, comparing it against international ranger competencies issued by the International Ranger Federation, and incorporating leading local and global practices. The aim was to identify the duties, responsibilities, behaviors, and knowledge required for the profession and to formulate appropriate training plans.
Dr. Qurban mentioned that the project, launched in conjunction with World Ranger Day, aims to advance the ranger profession and enhance its role in safeguarding the Kingdom's natural assets within protected areas, aligning with top international standards. He highlighted that the initiative is part of larger efforts to bolster environmental protection capabilities across Saudi Arabia.
He further explained that the standard was developed using the international SCID methodology with input from 21 experts, including 18 rangers from national reserves and three senior international specialists. The process involved a thorough analysis of professional requirements, leading to the identification of 12 core duties and 110 detailed tasks related to protection, monitoring, enforcement, guidance, and emergency response. Additionally, 15 integrated training packages were created to support competency-based training and improve field performance.
Dr. Qurban emphasized that the standard fully aligns with International Ranger Federation criteria, ensuring it serves as a reliable national reference that institutionalizes the ranger's role, enhances oversight and public awareness, and unifies professional practices across protected areas.
He concluded by stating that the professional standard is a crucial step towards developing qualified national talent and supporting the operational infrastructure of protected areas. It aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to protect 30% of the Kingdom's terrestrial and marine areas and establishes a regional model for advancing environmental protection professions.