{"id":385505,"date":"2025-10-14T16:13:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T15:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=385505"},"modified":"2025-10-16T13:03:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T12:03:46","slug":"the-nominees-for-the-international-ranger-awards-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www-iucn.trybes.work\/en\/news\/the-nominees-for-the-international-ranger-awards-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"The nominees for the International Ranger Awards 2025\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On October 11, 2025, the International Ranger Awards took place, celebrating rangers from around the world for their dedication to nature conservation. Rodrigue Katembo Mugaruka and 10 members of the All\u00e9e des Baobabs Protection and Management Team, who we work closely with, were nominated for this award.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Header photo: The nominated rangers for the International Ranger Award at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. Rangers Awards, Abu Dhabi. Photo<\/em><\/em> \u00a9 IUCN\/Tim Gander\/Workers Photos<\/em>\u00a0<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The International Ranger Awards celebrate the bravery and resilience of rangers who protect the world\u2019s natural heritage. During the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, thirteen rangers and ranger teams nominated by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) were recognised for their outstanding work. The award highlights their achievements, raises public awareness, and provides financial support to support the land they help protect. This year, six individuals and seven ranger teams received awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, supported by the WCPA in collaboration with Conservation Allies, the Universal Ranger Support Alliance, and the IUCN.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The 2025 International Ranger Awards\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The International Ranger Award highlights the important role these people play in protecting nature. By supporting these individuals and teams over the years, IUCN NL has helped strengthen their capacity to safeguard critical ecosystems and tackle threats on the ground. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Rodrigue Katembo Mugaruka\u00a0<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Rodrigue Katembo Mugaruka is the Director and Deputy site manager of the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He was recognized for his bravery while protecting DRC land from corruption and exploitation. IUCN NL supported Rodrigue during the SOCO case, in which he collected camera footage of SOCO International \u2013 a British oil company – and its contractors offering bribes and discussing illegal activities. The gathered footage was featured in the documentary film Virunga. He and his team received the Goldman Environmental prize<\/a> for this undercover work in 2017. To this day, IUCN NL still works very closely with him through the Green Livelihoods Alliance<\/a> as he continues to put his life on the line to protect Virunga National Park. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rodrigue Katembo Mugaruka at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. Rangers Awards, Abu Dhabi. Photo \u00a9 IUCN\/Tim Gander\/Workers Photos<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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All\u00e9e des Baobabs Protection and Management Team, at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. Rangers Awards, Abu Dhabi. Photo<\/em><\/em> \u00a9 IUCN\/Tim Gander\/Workers Photos<\/em>\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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All\u00e9e des Baobabs Protection and Management Team\u00a0<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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10 members of the All\u00e9e des Baobabs Protection and Management Team, form Madagascar,  were nominated for fearlessly protecting Madagascar\u2019s forests from fire and human pressures. Fanamby<\/a>, the non-profit organisation that manages All\u00e9e des Baobabs actually was the first organisation to receive a grant from IUCN NL in Madagascar, and also a trusted partner during our Shared Resources Joint Solutions<\/a> programme, which ran from 2016 to 2020.ran from 2016 to 2020. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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