Film maker and photographer Matt Traver has donated a Canon Digital Rebel XT camera body for a ranger funded by the Keepers of the Wild programme of World Land Trust (WLT).
Rangers employed by WLT’s conservation partners play a key role in protecting and monitoring the reserves created with support from WLT.
With a camera to hand, rangers can document wildlife sightings, tracks and signs and many rangers are becoming proficient wildlife photographers.
Cameras also enable rangers to better monitor other aspects of the reserves, such as damage to fencing and infrastructure, cattle incursions and illegal activities.
Thanks to donations from individual supporters like Matt, and from corporate supporters such as Swarovski Optik, Bushnell and Paramo Clothing, WLT helps provide rangers with equipment such as binoculars, trail cameras and clothing suitable for the environment in which they work.
Rangers are usually members of the local community and some were once hunters. Former hunters make excellent wildlife guides and invariably turn into some of the best ambassadors for conservation. By earning a wage, rangers become well-respected in their community and are able to provide for their families without resorting to hunting.
Ranger duties cover a range of activities including monitoring species, assisting research teams, guiding visitors, creating and maintaining paths and other infrastructure, and patrolling the reserve to ensure that no logging or hunting is taking place.
In 2015 WLT is supporting 32 rangers in 15 countries. You can help support rangers by donating to WLT’s Keepers of the Wild programme.
Donate to Keepers of the Wild »
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Matt Traver comes from an expedition background, and has organised and documented projects around the world. He has won numerous awards for his work, which includes films from the mountains of Eastern Europe and central Asia.
WLT gladly accepts donations of camera equipment and binoculars in good working order. If you would like to donate a camera or binoculars please email to dbradbury@worldlandtrust.org.