Volunteer Ranger Programme

Walk Volunteer Rangers

In 2007, the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN) set up the Volunteer Ranger Programme. The aim of the programme is for volunteers to audit the 'Quality' walks in Northern Ireland as listed on WalkNI.com. The resulting information is then forwarded to the relevant land managers (through Product Management Groups) in order that they can carry out the necessary remediation work.

To date this has involved auditing of the long distance walks known as the “Way Marked Ways”, with Volunteer Rangers completing audits of these routes twice a year.

In autumn 2009 CAAN extended the audit programme to include the short and medium distance walks as well as all Quality Sections of the newly relaunched Ulster Way. Out of a possible 198 quality short and medium length walks, all 198 have been allocated to the Volunteer Rangers. The volunteers have again excelled themselves and at present all the extra 192 miles of the Quality Sections of the Ulster Way that had not previously been included within a Way Marked Way, have now also been allocated.

There are now 149 registered volunteers, with 71% of volunteers currently undertaking assessment work. The majority of rangers have received training on how to complete an audit and can now receive training in the use of a handheld GPS device.

The assessment of all 16 Ecotrails (www.ecotrailsni.com) has also been developed this season. We will be conducting an annual audit to ensure that a high quality product is available to those who have enjoyed or wish to enjoy the Ecotrails.

Another project currently underway is the Accessibility Audit of Quality Walks. The Accessibility Audit involves the assessment of Quality Walks to provide accessibility information to those with mobility issues via the WalkNI website. Rangers have been asked to collect information to highlight challenges faced by people with limited mobility when trying to complete a walk such as difficult surfaces, gradients or barriers. The presentation of this information in an easily digestible format would allow those with mobility issues to decide whether a walk was suitable for their level of need.

The Mourne Ranger Scheme was established by CAAN in 2009. Volunteer Rangers work in partnership with the Mourne Heritage Trust to carry out an annual audit of path erosion in the Mourne Mountains. The Countryside Team from the Mourne Heritage Trust has already been out fixing problems highlighted by the Mourne Rangers at locations such as the Brandy Pad. This, like all other work carried out by the Volunteer Rangers, is valuable and much appreciated.

Summer Walk winter walk

Canoe Volunteer Rangers

The Canoe Ranger Programme was introduced in September of 2009. There are currently five canoe trails in Northern Ireland that have been developed by CAAN, these being on the Lower Bann, Lough Neagh, the Blackwater, Lough Erne and Strangford Lough. Details about each trail can be found on CanoeNI.com. Canoe Rangers have volunteered their time and have been allocated a canoe trail, the audits of which are currently underway. At present all canoe trails have been allocated.

Canoeing

Sponsorship

Tiso Belfast is the official sponsor of the CAAN Volunteer Ranger Programme for 2011-2012. Tiso is based in the city centre of Belfast for over 15 years, is the definitive Outdoor Hillwalking store in Northern Ireland. The store contains a dedicated Boot room and footwear section with Tiso Footwear Specialists.

It is, and always has been Tiso’s aim to support local walking Clubs and organisations like CAAN and hopefully develop long and lasting relationships with organisations, groups and individuals.

Volunteer Rangers Tiso Logo

Why Become a Ranger?

Being a Volunteer Ranger is a great opportunity to become an active member of the Northern Irish outdoor community. It also means that through their work the Volunteer Rangers can play a key role within CAAN. The significance and scope of the Volunteer Ranger Programme is growing and as such CAAN’s Operational Plan for 2009-2012 incorporates the ranger programme as a major component.

CAAN provide complimentary social and training events for the volunteers. For example a summer walk through the high Sperrins was organised and a training day held at Tollymore National Outdoor Centre to learn some Mountaineering skills, recently took place.

Please contact Diane for further information on any of the above information.

Diane Patterson
T: 028 9030 3934
E: diane@countrysiderecreation.com

Current Vacancies

Please see below for current vacancies within the Volunteer Ranger Programme.

Way Marked Ways:

Walk	Section	Description	Length	Link	Details
Ring of Gullion Way	S3	Forkhill to Marble Bridge	13.8km	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=46	Maps 3 & 4

Quality Ulster Way Sections:

None

Canoe Trails:

none

Ecotrails:

none

Quality Walks:

Name	Distance (miles)	Nearest town	County	Link
Ballymoney Heritage Trail	2.5	Ballymoney	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=56
Barnetts Demesne	1.5	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=74
Botanic Gardens	0.8	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=78
Clement Wilson Park	1.2	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=80
Colin Glen	4	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=81
Divis and Black Mountain - Black Route	6.9	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=83
Divis and Black Mountain - Red Route	4.2	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=83
Divis to Dixon Link	10	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=571
Lagan Towpath - Shaws Bridge to Lock Keepers Cottage	1	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=566
Limited Mobility Ramble Sir Thomas Lady Dixon Park	5	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=294
Ormeau Park	1.3	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=88
Riverside Park	4	Ballymoney	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=59
Victoria Park	1	Belfast	Antrim	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=91
Reservoir Ramble	9.3	Newcastle	Down	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=580
Slieve Donard, Commedagh and Bernagh	10.9	Newcastle	Down	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=575
Trassey to Bloody Bridge	7.3	Newcastle	Down	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=577
Aghanaglack Walk: Ballintempo Forest	7	Enniskillen	Fermanagh	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=615
Big Dog Walk: Big Dog Forest	2.5	Derrygonnelly	Fermanagh	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=617
Carrickreagh View point Walk: Ely Lodge Forest	1.5	Enniskillen	Fermanagh	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=263
Lough Formal Walk: Carrigan Forest	5.3	Derrygonnelly	Fermanagh	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=618
Pollnagollum Cave Walk: Belmore Forest	4.3	Enniskillen	Fermanagh	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=619
Ballykelly Bank	2	Ballykelly	Londonderry	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=164
Ballykelly Forest	2	Ballykelly	Londonderry	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=163
Ballymacran Bank	1.5	Ballykelly	Londonderry	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=162
Magilligan Point	0.5	Magilligan	Londonderry	http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=161

Please contact Diane at diane@countrysiderecreation.com for further details.

Future Work

The Mountain Bike Volunteer Ranger scheme has been launched! The first site to benefit from the scheme is Blessingbourne, Fivemiletown, with volunteers specifically dedicated to this site. When development of other MTB sites such as Davagh Forest, Barnetts Demesne and the Mournes occurs, other volunteering opportunities will be available. Please contact Diane at diane@countrysiderecreation.com directly for details.