The Ranger Fund
Boots on the ground, eyes in the sky
Boots on the ground
Across Biome’s landscapes, from the Peruvian Amazon to the coastal waters of Cambodia, one truth is constant: Conservation succeeds only when people on the ground are equipped, trained, and supported to make it happen. “Eyes in the sky” refers to the remote sensing technology that now aids efforts of rangers.
Collectively, we call them “rangers”, but they go by different names in different places: Indigenous land stewards, rangers, ecoguards, marine patrol teams, parataxonomists, bat guardians, community monitors, scouts, and forest guardians. Dedicated and skilled, they are the “boots on the ground” who protect ecosystems and species on behalf of us all.
Why a Rangers Fund?
Rangers’ roles are technical, scientific and deeply rooted in community relationships. Yet they are often underfunded and under-equipped, relying on short-term grants and fragmented budgets. When funding lapses, hard-won expertise and local partnerships are lost.
A dedicated Ranger Fund would meaningfully improve this situation. It would:
- stabilize and retain skilled local talent
- elevate frontline conservation as a respected profession
- improve monitoring, threat detection, research support, and community trust
- cultivate the next generation of conservation leaders
What rangers do
Protect Wildlife
Safeguard endangered species and critical habitats
Monitor Ecosystems
Track biodiversity, habitat health, and environmental change.
Prevent Illegal Extraction
Stop poaching, illegal logging, and destructive fishing.
Support & Educate
Support local communities through education and collaboration.
Research & Science
Assist scientific studies, field surveys, and biological monitoring.
Inspire Future Leaders
Create conservation jobs, foster community, and inspire the next generation.
Voices from the frontlines
“When we have monitored all the wild animals and everything is okay, that is the best day. ”
Joshua, Ranger at Mukutan Conservancy, Kenya
“The Promotores support us enormously in the field, not only with logistics, but because of their deep experience in the forest. ”
Elena Chaboteaux, Researcher at Conservación Amazónica, Peru
“I feel a responsibility ... we should leave wild animals in the forest for the next generation — not just in photos.”
Surya Bhattarai, Forest Guardian, Red Panda Network, Nepal
Breaking trail for the fund
The Rangers Fund was launched with early leadership from
The Barrett Family Foundation.
Their founding commitment shaped the fundʼs vision to support rangers on the frontlines of conservation worldwide and strengthen the systems that sustain their work, creating a path for all who share this vision to invest in lasting impact.
Invest in Rangers. Protect Nature.
Your support in action
As a first milestone, the Fund aims to raise at least $700,000 annually for more than 275 rangers across 14 projects.
By donating to the fund, you:
- Provide stable salaries where needed and professional training
- Equip rangers with technology such as GPS units, drones, and monitoring tools
- Strengthen ecological monitoring and rapid response to threats
- Build dignified employment opportunities in conservation
- Support the next generation of conservation leaders
