Important notice: This is an archived version of the Peak District National Park Authority's website. It was last updated on 2 August 2011. The current version can be found at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk. This old version of the website will remain available until all content and functionality has been transferred across to the new website, after which it will be switched off.

Red sunset behind a walker

Looking After

How we work to look after the National Park, conservation, ranger services, biodiversity and policies.

Ranger Service

Ranger Richard Gregory talking to a farmer
The role of the Ranger Service is to promote understanding of the National Park, conserve and enhance the area, and provide a key point of contact between the National Park Authority, local people and visitors.  This is achieved in numerous ways, some of which are outlined below.

Public access

One of the most popular ways people enjoy the National Park is by using the extensive network of footpaths, bridleways, byways and access land. Rangers help to look after this open land and routes by patrolling areas to assess the need for maintenance or improved access. They then meet with landowners and highway authorities before installing gates or footbridges, signing routes or repairing worn out surfaces.

Conservation

Rangers carry out conservation projects within the National Park and also work closely with other services of the Authority, helping to deliver practical actions relating to biodiversity, archaeology and landscape improvements.  A Wildlife and Conservation Area at Brunt’s Barn Ranger Station at Grindleford is used as an outdoor classroom, it is a microcosm of Dark Peak habitats, with a flower-rich grassland, a pond, wetland, wood, glade and an ant-hill pasture.  Nest-boxes and a hide make it an ideal place to watch wild creatures and learn about conservation.

Visitors

Group of walkers
The Peak District National Park has many millions of visitors each year, making it one of the worlds most visited parks. Rangers advise people on all aspects of visiting their area of the Park and also lead over 250 free guided walks each year.  They have an inspiring knowledge of the National Park and all are experienced walk leaders and qualified first-aiders.  Some Rangers specialise in subjects such as botany, birds, bats and mountain hares!  There are walks and events for all, including: families, wheelchair users, people new to the countryside and experienced walkers.

Local community

Ranger with children
Community links are increasing as Rangers now work jointly with all primary schools in the National Park (see Environmental Education below).  

Rangers provide assistance to local people during emergencies such as moorland fires or severe winter weather. The Ranger Service is also often the first point of contact in helping to solve any problems and misunderstandings which occur between local people and visitors, for example a Ranger marking a route at the request of a landowner to enable people to keep to the correct line of a public footpath.

Environmental Education

As part of the Promoting Understanding Strategy the Ranger Service is responsible for working with all primary schools within the Peak District National Park. Rangers support the children’s curriculum work with projects on wildlife study, water-courses, local history and geology out in the fresh air, encouraging awareness of the natural world and what the National Park can offer.

Within the Guided Walks and Events programme the Ranger Service offers informal environmental activities for the general public at a number of locations in the National Park.  They give children and their families an opportunity to join in with the activities that the National Park has to offer, learn how they can help protect and conserve its special places and see demonstrations of moorland fire fighting equipment.

Countryside safety

Mountain rescue
The weather in the Peak District, especially on high open moorland, can change rapidly from a fine sunny day to cold thick fog. Rangers advise the public to be prepared for weather changes and difficult terrain, they direct people who have lost their bearings and assist people who have had accidents.

Dry weather can result in peat moors becoming so dry that a carelessly discarded cigarette end can ignite the peat into a fire which, because of the nature of the material, can be very difficult to extinguish. Rangers advise people to take home cigarette stubs in dry weather and to phone the fire brigade with details of the location of any unattended moorland fire. (More information on Rangers fighting moorland fires can be found by clicking on the link below.)

Winters in the Peak District often bring low temperatures with snow, wind and rain which can lead to cases of hypothermia for those walking on the higher hills.

Rangers advise people to carry enough food and drink, wear weather appropriate clothing and know how to use a map. For more challenging routes it is useful to learn to navigate with a compass.