Parks & Countryside Ranger Service

 

The Ranger Service in Sheffield was established in 1995 and since then has developed to provide a highly valued service and resource for people using the parks, woodlands and countryside areas of the city.

 

 

Sheffield’s Parks and Countryside Ranger’s are involved in a wide range of activities including:-

 

We aim to help individuals and communities to get the most out of their open spaces. Our services include; provision of information and advice, opportunities to volunteer and basic training in practical skills through to fundraising and working in partnership on specific projects. We work with many local conservation and ‘friends of’ groups throughout Sheffield with the collective aim of improving our environment. If you would like to find out about environmental volunteering opportunities contact your local Ranger Team.

 

Partnership working is central to much of what the Ranger Service does and we work in conjunction with a large number of other organisations on environmental projects throughout Sheffield, examples include the Green Watch Community Safety Project. This project works with the Probation Service, Young Offenders Teams and others to assist young people in getting involved in improving the city’s green spaces, including the ‘Crucial Crew’ project which has so far involved over 4000 of Sheffield’s 11-12 year olds. The River Stewardship project is aimed at engaging local businesses and communities in helping to improve the River Don as a green corridor area within the city and is a partnership with Groundwork Sheffield and Sheffield Wildlife Trust.

 

The Ranger Service produces an annual events programme of fun, family-orientated events, which includes art and craft sessions, guided walks and ‘have-a-go’ practical conservation days. Details of all the events are in the Ranger Events booklet which is published twice-yearly and available to download from the bottom of this page. Contact us if you would like a copy of the current events programme or would like to be placed on the mailing list

 

The health projects team works to encourage more local people to be more active more often, with a view to improving health, well-being and quality of life. The team utilise Sheffield’s green and open spaces to deliver a programme of city-wide health walks. The ‘Growing Together’ allotment project promotes the use and development of allotment sites across the city as a valuable and sustainable community resource.  The Hillsborough Park and Walled Garden project supports volunteers, work placements and school visits whilst also hosting a range of events and activities.

 

Rangers organise environmental education activities for schools, families and local groups throughout Sheffield. National Curriculum-based sessions for schools are complemented by interpretive events suitable for all and life-long learning for adults. These range from bird and bat box building, pond dipping, countryside craft events, environmental games and interpretation activities aimed at developing a greater understanding of and respect for the natural world.

 

Rangers assist in providing a uniformed, reassuring presence in the city’s green spaces and a friendly first point of contact with park users. The city’s open spaces are regularly monitored by the Rangers with the aim of making Sheffield a cleaner, greener, safer place for both residents and visitors. Rangers have a good local knowledge and can provide a wealth of information on sites to visit in their area.

 

By providing a key role in the management and use of Sheffield’s green spaces the Rangers are involved in ensuring the sustainability of Sheffield’s fine natural heritage.

The Ranger Service works towards improving biodiversity in accordance with Sheffield’s Biodiversity Acton Plans.

We actively participate in improving scarce and threatened habitats across the city. Many of these habitats are designated as Local Nature Reserves as an indication of their high wildlife value. Examples include:-

 

For more information about the work of the Ranger Service, call our Head Office on 0114 250 0500 and ask for the Ranger Services Manager, or contact one of the teams on the numbers below.

 

North Area Team:     0114 240 3578

East Area Team:       0114 275 1176

South Area Team:     0114 283 9195

West Area Team:      0114 268 6196

Health Projects:        0114 203 9337

 

 

 

Parks and Countryside Ranger Service

Sheffield City Council

Parks and Countryside

Brook Road

Meersbrook Park

Sheffield

S8 9FL