BY DESMOND RAHE
Local Conservationist Edgar Pollard stressed the value of Solomon Islands rangers and urged them to be agents of change rather than just protectors during the 2025 World Rangers Day celebration in Honiara.
World Rangers Day is celebrated every year on July 31 to honor the dedication, sacrifice, and achievements of rangers worldwide — and in the Solomon Islands, it was a reminder that rangers are not only defenders of nature but leaders of positive change.
“You may not just be rangers. You may not just protect us, but you may be agents of change in our communities, our tribes, and our families,” Pollard said during his remarks at Holy Cross Hall on July 31, 2025. Pollard stressed that rangers are the backbone of many efforts to protect the environment, calling them the “frontliners and last liners” in the battle to preserve nature.
“You are the ones on the ground. You patrol, you watch for illegal activities, you protect the land — and much of what you do often goes unrecognized by the wider society,” he said.
He encouraged the rangers to see their role in a broader light — not just as conservation workers, but as people capable of healing and rebuilding the environment and their communities.
“It’s important for you to shift from a mindset of just conservation or protection to a mindset where you look to restore and regenerate — not just our land, but our families, our communities, our people,” Pollard said.
He also reminded them that environmental work is deeply connected to the survival and well-being of local communities, many of which rely heavily on natural resources.
“Your work is not just about trees or animals,” he said. “It’s about lives — the lives of people who depend on the land and sea.”
Pollard praised the efforts of the Solomon Islands Rangers Association (SIRA) and thanked all supporting partners — including government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector — for making the event possible.
“I want to applaud SIRA for its leadership and thank all the partners who are walking this journey together. This is a real example of collaboration,” he said.
He added that it was encouraging to see such a wide range of supporters attend the celebration.
“We had the private sector here this morning, NGOs, government — almost everyone in our community. It shows how important this work is, and that we must all work together,” Pollard said.
