Press release: New Ranger Fund advances global frontline conservation leadership

Canadian-backed initiative provides sustained support for rangers and Indigenous stewards, translating conservation commitments into daily action. 

For immediate release:

Chester, Nova Scotia — March 3, 2026 — Biome Conservation, in partnership with The Barrett Family Foundation, is launching the Ranger Fund, a strategic initiative providing sustained support for rangers and Indigenous stewards safeguarding ecosystems worldwide. 

“Conservation does not falter because communities lack knowledge or commitment. It falters when funding is short-term and unpredictable,” said Ana Mandri, Executive Director of Biome Conservation. “Rangers may go by different names around the world, but they are the boots on the ground protecting ecosystems every day. When their support is unstable, conservation outcomes become unstable. The Ranger Fund exists to change that by providing consistent backing so these leaders can succeed.” 

Rangers and Indigenous stewards translate conservation commitments into daily action by monitoring forests, patrolling coastlines, preventing illegal extraction, supporting scientific research, and collaborating with communities. Across more than half of the conservation partnerships Biome works alongside, these leaders are central to implementation, yet their work is often constrained by fragmented funding. 

This year, the Ranger Fund seeks to secure at least $700,000 to strengthen more than 275 rangers across 14 conservation projects. The funding will help secure salaries where needed and provide essential field equipment tailored to each project’s environmental context and priorities. Biome’s broader portfolio relies on 3,668 rangers, positioning this initial target as a first step toward expanding stable support for frontline conservation leadership. 

The Barrett Family Foundation’s multi-year support helped establish the Ranger Fund as a platform for sustained investment in conservation capacity. With professional training and appropriate field equipment, rangers are better equipped to conduct ecological monitoring, respond to emerging threats, and collaborate effectively with communities and local authorities. 

“Rangers and Indigenous stewards play an essential role in safeguarding nature,” said Alister Mathieson, Executive Director, of The Barrett Family Foundation. “Our support reflects a belief that investing in people, particularly those with local knowledge, is one of the most effective ways to advance conservation globally.” 

For Canadians, the Ranger Fund highlights the role philanthropy can play in strengthening conservation leadership, Indigenous stewardship, and science-based environmental solutions. By supporting those who implement conservation on the ground, the Fund reinforces outcomes that matter — from biodiversity protection to climate resilience and cultural heritage preservation. 

Through the Ranger Fund, Biome and its partners are advancing a long-term, locally grounded model for strengthening conservation capacity. By investing in the people who safeguard forests, rivers, and oceans, the initiative reinforces durable environmental protection across diverse ecosystems. 

About Biome Conservation
Biome Conservation supports high-impact conservation projects around the world that protect biodiversity, strengthen ecosystems, and work in partnership with local communities. Biome Conservation is a registered Canadian charity (#852478189 RR0001).
Learn more at https://biomeconservation.org/. 

Media Contact: 

Ana Mandri, Executive Director, Biome Conservation
Ana@BiomeConservation.org