Forest Ranger Essential Equipment

Working as a forest ranger in one of the UK’s many national parks can be enormously rewarding. You’ll be charged with maintaining footpaths and bridleways, and making sure that the Great British public can access the Great British countryside. They also have a role to play in educating the public about the state of the environment, and collaborating with emergency services, as well as a few scientific duties.
The precise composition of the job will vary depending on which park you’re based in. But there are a few elements that are common to everyone. Among the most important of these elements is the equipment being used.
If you’re working as a ranger, it’s worth assembling the required tools, and learning how to use them. Let’s take a look at a few of the best.

Navigational tools

When you’ve walked through a given stretch of parkland for long enough, you might feel that you know it well enough to get around without reference to a map, compass or GPS. But we should be aware that national parks can cover vast amounts of territory, and that the landscape is in constant flux as the seasons change.
While there’s a lot to be said for a modern electronic GPS, it’s still worth carrying a map and compass and knowing how to use them. After all, you’re not always going to have the signal you need.

Lights

You’re going to be doing your job in the dark at least some of the time. Being able to see where you’re going is essential. You should make sure that you have several types of lamp available, including headlamps and torches.

Clothing

Being prepared for every possible weather condition means have access to a wardrobe including heavy coats and windproof jackets and trousers. You’ll want a hat that can protect your head against the sun, and heavy boots that will cope with the miles you’ll be putting in. Lightweight, hard-wearing gloves are useful when you need to deal with overgrown plants, too.

Wildlife survey

If you’re going to be dealing with wildlife, you might need certain specific pieces of equipment. Acoustic lures might help you to summon bats, while digital recording devices will allow you to document them. Thermal imaging cameras are essential when you’re doing this under cover of darkness. If you need to assess underground or otherwise inaccessible habitats, then an endoscope might be useful, too.

Vehicle

It should go without saying that you need a rugged vehicle that’s built to cope with the outdoors. This means a 4×4, as well as a supply of tyres that will keep it on the road. You can buy tyres online, so be sure to keep a spare.

First aid kit

You should have access to a first-aid kit, and know how to use it. You might keep this stored under the seat in your 4×4.