Ukrainian Rangers Recognized on the Global Stage

At the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Congress held in Abu Dhabi, the Tuzlivski Lymany National Nature Park team received one of the most prestigious environmental honors — the Ranger Award 2025.

The Ukrainians were selected among the top seven ranger teams worldwide, alongside representatives from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They were recognized for their decade-long commitment to protecting the lagoon ecosystems in southern Ukraine, combating poaching, and preserving biodiversity even amid the war.

The award was established by the World Commission on Protected Areas of the IUCN, the International Ranger Federation, and the Global Wildlife Conservation Fund. It honors individuals dedicated to safeguarding wildlife across all continents.

Personally, the award was received by Iryna Vykhrystiuk, the chief ranger of the national park and head of the conservation service. According to scientist Ivan Rusev, she has repeatedly confronted armed poachers and even tractors that were destroying the steppe, risking her own life.

Sadly, the war has claimed the lives of two park rangers, while several others are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Nevertheless, the team continues its work, restoring nature after large-scale fires and demonstrating that wildlife protection is part of the struggle for Ukraine.

“This award is not just about our efforts. It symbolizes Ukraine, which, even during wartime, fights not only for freedom but also for the very survival of nature,” the national park team stated.