Forest Protection Officers, who play a vital role in safeguarding forests, are now making their voices heard not only nationally but also on the international stage. In thiscontext, the Forest Protection Officers Association has taken a significant step in terms of professional solidarity andcooperation by applying for membership to two prominentorganizations operating in the field of forestry worldwide.
The applications for full membership to two major umbrellaorganizations — the globally operating International RangerFederation (IRF) and the continentally structured EuropeanRanger Federation (ERF) — have been approved. Bothfederations have accepted the Forest Protection OfficersAssociation’s application for full membership, adding an international dimension to Turkey’s institutionalrepresentation in the field of forestry.
Opening the Doors to International Solidarity
Membership in the IRF and ERF is not merely a formality; it also means becoming part of a strong network based on thesharing of knowledge, experience, and vision. Thesefederations, which currently represent approximately 280,000 rangers in over 60 countries, develop global strategies on issues such as environmental protection, combatingenvironmental crimes, forestry policy, and nature education. Turkey’s inclusion in these networks is a critical developmentin terms of bringing the expertise of Turkish forestry andForest Protection Officers to the international stage.
As the Forest Protection Officers Association, we believe thatthese memberships will not only benefit the association but also offer new opportunities to the entire professionalcommunity. From professional development programs to jointprojects, from training activities to the sharing of fieldexperiences, a wide range of opportunities will be shared withall our colleagues.
We would like to express our gratitude to ERF Vice PresidentIlan Yeger and IRF Representative Lars Scharfe, whosupported the membership process and invited us to theupcoming European Ranger Congress in Romania. We alsothank all individuals and institutions who contributed to thisprocess.
We believe that this step will enable us to represent ourprofession and Turkish forestry in the best possible way andthat by establishing communication and exchangingknowledge and ideas with our colleagues from 60 countries, we will collectively advance our field.
This development marks a significant step in making Turkey’sForest Protection Officers more visible in the internationalforestry arena. The protection of forests is not theresponsibility of a single country but a shared duty of allnations and humanity as a whole. Acting with this awareness, the Forest Protection Officers Association is, through thisinitiative, not only enhancing the profession’s prestige but alsodemonstrating its intention to contribute to the global forestrycommunity.
We sincerely wish that these memberships bring positiveoutcomes for all our colleagues, and contribute to bothTurkish and global forestry.