Rangers urged to speak up for Iceland’s nature

Rangers need strong convictions and must speak up for Iceland’s nature, says Magnús Hallur Jónsson, chair of the Icelandic Rangers Association, in an interview with mbl.is. He says explaining the landscape and guiding visitors are central parts of the job.

Magnús describes this work as nature interpretation: rangers share knowledge of a place with passion, helping visitors see its natural features and history from a new perspective. Even a babbling stream, flowers on a slope, unusual rock formations or a view of the mountains can capture people’s interest, he says.

The association marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration at Thingvellir National Park last Saturday. The programme looked back at the group’s history, which is closely linked to nature conservation in Iceland, and considered the work rangers may take on in the future.

More than two million people visit Iceland each year, increasing pressure on many locations around the country. Rangers work in protected areas and national parks, where their duties include managing visitor traffic, answering questions, providing services and carrying out environmental improvements or emergency measures to protect nature.

About 200 people currently work as rangers, most in temporary summer positions with the Nature Conservation Agency and Thingvellir National Park. Magnús, a trained opera singer who works in the cultural sector during winter, has spent about 20 years as a ranger, first at Thingvellir and later in the highlands. In summer, he has worked in Hvannalindir, Kverkfjöll and Dreki, near the Dyngjufjöll mountains, including areas around Askja.

Protected areas have expanded in recent years, as have national parks. Iceland is committed to protecting 30 per cent of its land by 2030; the current share is 20.1 per cent, Magnús says. Rangers also need to monitor changes linked to a warming atmosphere, including retreating glaciers, shifting river channels, increased drifting sand and the growth of some insect populations.

Ranger work can be demanding and requires knowledge, Magnús says. Training run by the Nature Conservation Agency and others provides professional qualifications, but the way rangers are taught needs to keep developing. He says the training could, for example, cover nature conservation laws in greater depth.