The service operates city wide covering 92 parks, Local Nature Reserves and greenspaces in Glasgow, with operational bases at Pollok Country Park and Tollcross Park. Countryside Rangers can be found all over Scotland, employed by local authorities, private estates, the Forestry Commission and National Parks and were born from the 1968 Countryside (Scotland) Act. Countryside Rangers in Scotland celebrate 45 years in 2019.
As a Glasgow citywide team, each individual Countryside Ranger has a dedicated area of the City and know the nature of their 'patch' intimately. The Countryside Rangers generally work in pairs.
"We connect people and with green places, enhancing public enjoyment and care of the outdoors."
Our Countryside Rangers work with the people of Glasgow to educate, interpret, monitor and protect Glasgow's wildlife and its environment. We are the bridge between visitors, local communities, landowners and agencies and work for the benefit of both people and nature. We are the eyes and ears that help to look after some of Scotland's wonderful landscapes and wildlife.
The Countryside Ranger Team has an important part in making sure that the council meets its key commitments at a local and national level, working within the City's 92 parks, Local Nature Reserves and greenspaces to promote awareness, understanding and care of Glasgow's natural heritage and undertake the Council's Biodiversity duties.
The work of a Countryside Ranger is very varied, with core areas being:-
Volunteers & Biodiversity Action
Working with Communities
Countryside Walks & Events
Wildlife Surveys
Promotion of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
Corporate Conservation Days
There are many different ways you can join in/or we can join you:-
Volunteering and Practical Tasks
Download a volunteer application form from the panel on the right,
Find out more about Glasgow Flower Power Wildflower Nursery
Follow Glasgow Flower Power on Facebook
Participate in Wildlife Surveys i.e. Butterfly, WeBs, and Fossorial Water Vole
Schools, Nurseries or Colleges
Teacher CPD
Careers days
Work Experience/Placements
Employability/skills (and ASL)
Outdoor learning and CfE topic studies - download a booking form
Forest Schools/Nurseries Outdoor Play - download a Permission to Use form Permission to Use form [231kb]
Ranger-led Guided Walks & Events
Check the Upcoming Events pages to find out what is on in your area
50+ program of walks and talks - download the diary of dates from the panel on the right
Access for all - We are keen to encourage everybody to join in. If you have any disabilities or special needs and want to take part in an event, but aren't sure if you can manage, please contact us so that we can do our best to accommodate you.
We attend Community events, talks or meetings and offer specialists expertise when it comes to managing people, nature and wildlife.
If you are part of a Thriving Places project, Friends of Glasgow Park or Stalled Spaces and looking to enhance a green space in your community for biodiversity then the Countryside Ranger in your area could help support your group.
As part of the Natural Environment Team, within Parks Development we are in an ideal position to offer specialist advice and practical know-how and equipment as well as connect your group to other key officers within the council and across our partners Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, Froglife and RSPB.
Contact: The Senior Countryside Ranger, A Greig 0141 287 9001 or email allison.greig@glasgow.gov.uk
You have the right to be on most land and inland water for recreation, education and going from place to place, provided you act responsibly. Read more about outdoor access
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code has been produced by Scottish Natural Heritage to give guidance on your responsibilities when exercising access rights.
If you suspect a Wildlife Crime, Call Police Scotland on 101 to report a wildlife crime and ask for a crime number or email us at Contactus@scotland.pnn.police.uk .
Although any officer can investigate wildlife crime, every Division in Police Scotland has a Wildlife Crime Liaison Officer and there are also a network of part time Wildlife Crime Officers across the force. These officers can be contacted to report crime or to seek advice on wildlife crime matters.