Qualification

Certified nature and landscape conservationist (CNL)

Most of the rangers in Germany are CNL. The public acceptance of this profession took place on 14.03.1998 with the legal validity of the decree for further education (Federal Law Gazette No. 14 dated 13.03.1998) for the “Certified nature and landscape conservationist”.

The requirement for admission to the examination is the background of a so-called “green” profession, f. ex. forestry expert or agriculturist. A clause for career change allows the admission to the examination also for people with a different professional qualification.

The following link offers a summary of the occupational profile as well as the framework curriculum and examination regulations (in German): www.bfn.de/themen/gesellschaft/aktiv-im-naturschutz/berufsfeld-naturschutz.html. Educational institutions for agriculture and forestry or the conservation academies of the federal states offer further educations (www.banu-akademien.de).

Bachelor degree course “Landscape Management and Nature Conservation” at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development

Since the winter semester 2014/15 students of the degree course landscape management and nature conservation may choose the specialization protected area management. The aim of the specialization is to comprehensively prepare practitioners for the manifold tasks of the daily routine of a protected area manager.

It is also possible for certified nature and landscape conservationists to complete a shortened bachelor degree course without matriculation standards.

Information about the degree program can be found at www.hnee.de/lanu.

The German Ranger Association offers an extensive handout to all interested parties (in German): request a handout

Further training for rangers

Apart from the annual symposia organized by the German Ranger Association, members and staff of protected areas offer special trainings for their colleagues:

Train the Trainer