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Nearly half the district is designated Green Belt; containing more Sites of Special Scientific Interest than any other district in Nottinghamshire, as well as over 150 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and several Local Nature Reserves, each serving as an educational resource.

The Ranger Service focuses on the countryside parks and community forests in order to provide a safe environment for the public to enjoy our countryside and participate in events and activities. Rangers are actively involved in conservation and environmental education within communities and schools.

As part of the Cultural Services Team, Rangers are also involved in a wide variety of arts, community and heritage events and activities such as Countryside Day, Apple Day and May Day. The Ranger Service plays an integral role in helping to achieve the Green Flag status for both Portland Park & Brierley Forest Park.

The Ranger Service provides support through:

• Providing information
• Promoting the area
• Nurturing the countryside
• Supporting activities within the parks
• Education within schools, education packs and guided walks
• Continual improvements to disability access
• Preserving and developing our natural history
• Working with local and national agencies to create a clean and safe environment
• Working towards the sustainability of our parks and open spaces.

Each member of the team has their own specialty as well as sharing in the overall duties, including patrolling and maintaining the park.

The Senior Ranger, who manages the team, coordinates the many different aspects of the service, including:

• Land management of the country parks
• Health and safety of visitors and staff
• Using the countryside parks as outdoor classrooms
• Developing the Wildlife Education Centre where children and young people can experience conservation work in a safe environment
• Organising educational and recreational guided walks and cycle rides
• Educating and enforcing the countryside code
• Working towards the prevention of dog fouling and litter dropping
• Working with volunteers and 'Friends' groups

Playing Your Part

All Ashfield residents and visitors are asked to respect the parks and forest areas, but for those who would like to become further involved there are two opportunities:

1. Volunteer Rangers provide weekend support through a variety of tasks including patrols and conservation work along side the rangers. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Senior Ranger for further details.
2. Friends Groups help to manage the parks and visitor centres, serve behind the counters, organise activities, fund raise and help keep the parks clean and tidy.

Our countryside is beneficial to both the culture and health of our residents, in that it represents both our natural and industrial heritage along with offering us places of beauty where we can exercise and breathe in clean air. The Ranger Service is often involved in supporting walking activities linked with the GP referral scheme.

Partnerships

Working with partners is an important part of the Ranger Service, enabling greater care and better facilities for the users of the parks. The team work with:

• Friends Groups
• Groundwork Ashfield & Mansfield
• Nottinghamshire Countryside Service
• Greenwood Forest Community Forest Team
• The Forestry Commission
• Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
• Police
• Dog Wardens