Park Ranger: International recognition for the noble and difficult work of protecting protected areas
Bolivia won an “INTERNATIONAL PARK RANGER AWARD” for the outstanding work of Park Ranger Technician Jorge Banegas Franco, in recognition of his 23-year career protecting the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area. It is a great achievement and a source of pride for the country to have been selected from among many participating nations.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and the FIG (International Ranger Federation), in coordination with the WCAP (World Commission on Protected Areas), launched a call for nominations in early 2022 to recognize the achievements of park rangers from around the world. The Savia Bolivia Association nominated Jorge Banegas, who, after a lengthy and thorough review process, was selected as one of the 12 most recognized park rangers globally. “I am deeply moved and grateful for this award for the Park Rangers. It wouldn't have been possible without the collaboration of everyone involved and the Kaa-Iya Protected Area Protection Corps. It is a great incentive, as we wake up every day committed to conservation and strive to preserve life, always vigilant in safeguarding our protected areas, which are the lungs of the world and a source of life for us all.”, Park Ranger Banegas excitedly expressed upon hearing the news.
This achievement is also in recognition of the work of all the Park Rangers in Bolivia, who perform a selfless and poorly paid job, considering that their mission to protect protected areas should be valued, appreciated, and financially supported by society in general, and by public and private institutions.
to their commendable daily work of safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services that generate water, oxygen and livelihoods.
The Park Ranger Corps is a team worthy of recognition; they carry out their duties with dedication, commitment, and commitment. Their activities include protection, surveillance, control, and monitoring; they also fight forest fires and maintain their camps. Likewise, they conduct rural outreach and environmental education programs in communities. They are the "Sentinels" of the natural resources that we humans need for the global economy, health, food, and education.
Mr. Jorge Banegas is one of the examples to follow, having around 300 Park Rangers in Bolivia.
distributed across 22 national protected areas that suffer daily threats to their integrity and their contribution to the well-being of all citizens of the world. It should be noted that, in order for Banegas to be awarded this International Prize among many nominated candidates, it was demonstrated that his work for the Protected Area and its communities was developed with the following characteristics:
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Commitment and selfless dedication in favor of
protected areas.
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Exceptional service in local communities
resolving conflict situations.
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Temperance in difficult or serious situations.
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Relevant technical and scientific knowledge
on protected areas and biodiversity.
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Exceptional leadership to resolve situations
or pending crises.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTED BY PARK RANGER BANEGAS 22
YEARS BACK
The Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area is a protected area that has been
Created thanks to the initiative of three Indigenous peoples—the Isoseño Guarani, the Chiquitano, and the Ayoreo—this heritage site was established on September 21, 1995, encompassing 3,441,115 hectares. This makes it one of the largest protected areas in Latin America, safeguarding endemic, endangered, threatened, unique, or rare species of fauna. Furthermore, Kaa-Iya protects the “Last opportunity to conserve a large representative sample of the tropical dry forest of the Chaco in a good state of conservation from the entire Gran Chaco Americano ecoregion.”.
WHO IS PARK RANGER JORGE BANEGAS?
Park Ranger Technician Jorge Banegas Franco was born in San José de Chiquitos, a beloved husband and father. He is the Chief of
Protection of the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park and Natural Area, where he has worked for 23 years as a public servant of the National Service of Protected Areas, a decentralized body of the Ministry of Environment and Water, having performed functions in other national protected areas such as the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and the Otuquis National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area, on a rotating basis, to learn about the characteristics of other ecoregions and exchange experiences of protection strategies and
social development around protected areas.
Jorge Banegas, who grew up surrounded by nature, says his entire life has been dedicated to protecting biodiversity, hence his interest in working in protected areas. Those who know him and/or have worked with him attest that he is a committed, altruistic, active, and charismatic person, as well as a great motivator.
of all ages to connect with nature.
His dedication to his work goes far beyond that of a mere public servant. In conversations with him, sincerity and honesty are evident in his gaze, and his very essence inspires those around him. His actions speak for themselves, demonstrating that he is a fair leader, deeply concerned for his team of 19 park rangers of Chiquitano and Guarani descent. He guides this group with unwavering dedication, and they are responsible for protecting Bolivia's largest protected area, the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco, a sacred territory.
indigenous. He was also the first Park Ranger to conduct research on the endangered endemic Chaco pig species. Parachoerus wagneri, This opened doors for him to present his findings internationally. He was also a pioneer, during his tenure as Director, in promoting nature tourism for the first time in the Kaa-Iya Protected Area. Furthermore, he states that he has fought, and will continue to fight, to ensure that the communities surrounding the Protected Area have access to conservation-friendly productive alternatives for their local livelihoods.
– Training and recognition of Park Ranger Jorge Banegas.
Jorge Banegas holds a high school diploma and technical training in ecotourism from the Technical University of Oruro, completed under the UTO-KAWSAY Agreement. He has also received training through the "Regular Training Plan and Capacity Building for Management and Updating in Strategic Conservation Issues," a program developed in conjunction with the University for International Cooperation (UCI). Furthermore, he has completed the "Specialized Technical Course for Technical and Professional Personnel of Protected Areas in Bolivia," the "Technical Course on Integrated Management of Protected Areas for Conservation and Management of Natural Resources," and the "Specialized Technical Course for Park Rangers of Protected Areas and Natural Resource Conservation." He has also undertaken technical studies with the ARAKUAIYAPO Permanent Training Center of the Guarani People, under the Vice-Ministry of Alternative Education, within the framework of an agreement with the...
Ministry of Environment and Water and Italian Cooperation. Complements his knowledge in different areas that strengthen his functions as a Park Ranger, including the handling of technological equipment, prevention and control of forest fires, practices in mammal research, monitoring and rescue of wildlife, experience in socio-environmental issues related to hydrocarbons in protected areas, first aid, self-defense, among others.
He has received several Certificates of Recognition for his commendable work as a Park Ranger, Head of Protection, and even as Acting Director of the Kaa-Iya Protected Area at different times. Among the recognitions he has received are:
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Recognition of Sacrifice, Courage and Commitment for the defense and conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Protected Areas.
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Recognition for being part of the team of Park Rangers who managed to qualify the CHARATA DISTRICT as the best PARK RANGER in the Kaa-Iya Protected Area.
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Recognition “2nd best PARK RANGER of the Kaa-Iya Protected Area”.
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Recognition for their diligence and dedication in fulfilling their Control and Surveillance activities, handling of equipment and infrastructure, personal relations and teamwork.
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Recognition with Puma Foundation Grant for research work on the Solitaire (Catagonus wagneri) -today (Parachoerus wagneri)– in the ANMI Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park.
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Recognition for the daily courage, effort and sacrifice developed in the camps of the Protected Areas.
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Recognition for the dedication and commitment assumed in the sacrificial work of Protection and Conservation of the Natural and Cultural Resources of the Protected Areas of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
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Recognition of their work in protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
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Recognition of Merit “CHACALTAYA GOLD AWARD”.
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Recognition and gratitude for the work, effort and dedicated commitment in the protection and surveillance of our life systems in the protected areas.
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Recognition, in commemoration of the 23rd Anniversary of the Kaa-Iya Protected Area, fulfilling the Protection of Flora and Fauna for the benefit of the ecosystem and mainly of natural resources, thus contributing its commitment to the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
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Recognition for supporting the fight against forest fires within National Protected Areas.
– In turn, she has participated in research for the content of scientific publications, including:
∙ Banegas, J. 2006. Study of solitaire (Catagonus wagneri) with camera traps in Charata. Pp. 13-15 in RL Cuéllar (ed.), IV Congress of Local Researchers in Natural Resources of the Kaa-Iya National Park and Areas of Influence (Pailón, October 14-15, 2005): Proceedings. Santa Cruz: CABI, WCS, GTB, Kaa-Iya Foundation.
∙ Banegas, J. & AJ Noss. 2005. The solitary (Catagonus wagneri) in the western zone of the Kaa-Iya National Park (Panel). I National Congress of Mammalogy in Bolivia. May 31-June 3, 2005, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
∙ Banegas, J. & L. Maffei. 2006. Study of the solitary (Catagonus wagneri) in the Kaa-Iya National Park. Session Ecology and Natural History. II Congress of Mammalogy in Bolivia, May 17-19, 2006, La Paz.
∙ Banegas, J. & L. Maffei. 2007. Study of the Chacoan peccary or solitary peccary (Catagonus wagneri) in the Park
National Kaa-Iya. V National Congress of Biology. March 28-30, 2007. Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
∙ Maffei, L., RL Cuéllar &
J. Banegas. 2008. Distribution of the solitaire (Catagonus wagneri) in Bolivia. Ecology in Bolivia 43(2):141-145.
∙ Padilla, A. & J. Banegas.
2003. Abundance of the solitary Catagonus wagneri in the Chaco forest. Pp. 9-11 in RL Cuéllar (ed.), I Congress of researchers in the Kaa-Iya National Park of the Gran Chaco and areas of influence (La Brecha, October 1-2, 2002): Proceedings. Santa Cruz: Kaa-Iya Project.
• Participation in the preparation of the book Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco “Master of the Forest” (prologue) year 2017.
INTERNATIONAL AWARD
OF PARK GUARDERS (UICN-FIG-CMAP).
The aim of the award is to support the Park Ranger and also the work he does in the places where he is based, aiming to recognize worldwide his exceptional role as a Park Ranger who has dedicated his life to protecting nature, working for the well-being of communities and conserving living territories.
According to the IUCN website, eligible candidates are individuals working at a custodian-level site.
of species, habitats, ecological systems and cultural heritage. Park rangers who conserve protected and marine areas, state, regional, indigenous or private areas, with legal and institutional regulations.
These eligible individuals must fulfill responsibilities and work for their community and the common good:
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Conserving and restoring protected areas.
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Maintaining integrity and complying with applicable regulations.
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Developing and maintaining trust and respectful relationships with communities and all stakeholders.
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Collaborating with and supporting local communities.
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Addressing the interactions between wildlife and humans.
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Attending and supporting visitor activities.
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Providing education and knowledge.
AWARDS EVENT
The awards ceremony was held on July 20th from 12:00 to 2:00 PM (Bolivian time), during the IUCN African Protected Areas Congress (APAC) in Kigali, Rwanda. The event was streamed via Zoom and YouTube, where the 12 winners from four continents were announced, with videos of each winner being shown. Each winner receives $10,000
to support him and his work. At the same event, special mentions were announced for nine other rangers and teams.
Source: SAVIA – Association for
Conservation, Biodiversity Research and Sustainable Development,
Member of the IUCN.