In the beginning The 5th of May 2024 was an important milestone for the SHR: 60 years since it was officially established in 1964. This 60th anniversary coincides with the 30th anniversary of SANParks, which is the reason for the existence of the SHR. The first Honorary Rangers were appointed by the National Parks Board, the precursor to SANParks, to assist with enforcing rules in Kruger National Park (KNP). Membership was limited to a maximum of 500 volunteers. In 1987, the organisation was formalised into the Association of Honorary Rangers, with 301 founding members, who adopted rules, uniforms, and insignia. In 1988, the process of appointing SHR members was further formalised to incorporate training before official appointments. In 2004, the membership limit of 500 was lifted and in 2019, the SHR updated its governance structures and practices to align with best practice governance codes. A National Board was elected, and an executive (management) committee was appointed. Growing and expanding In 1997, there were a total of 500 members across 23 regions, performing 40 000 hours of volunteer duties. The value of equipment and facilities donated to the National Parks Board in 1997 was R5 million. In 2024, the SHR has 2 125 volunteer members across 31 regions, both locally and abroad, active in 20 national parks. This is a significant increase from the odd 500 members 20 years ago. In the 2024 financial year alone, volunteer hours surpassed 390 000, with members travelling more than 3 000 000 km to fulfil duties in national parks across the country. The average SHR member’s dedication translates into more than a month of free services annually, underscoring their commitment to conservation. The approximate value of volunteer hours and asset contributions to SANParks over the last nine years is estimated to have exceeded R600 million. In 2024, this amounted to just over R100 million. Adapting and evolving Over the past 60 years, the conservation landscape has undergone profound and significant transformation, with new challenges emerging almost daily. In 1997, the SANParks needed to focus on tourism, camp maintenance, tourist activities, and scientific research. The 1997 Conservation in a changing world: 60 years of volunteering in support of SANParks SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 10 About the SANParks Honorary Rangers continued 60 YEARS OF CONSERVATION
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTI0MzQ=