The Fife Countryside Rangers
The role of Fife Countryside Rangers is central to the sustainable management and the enjoyable use of over 40 countryside sites and nearly 300 kilometres of linear access routes throughout Fife. The Service operates out of bases at Townhill Country Park, Lochore Meadows, the Pitcairn Centre and St Andrews.
Among the facilities the Ranger Service contribute to the management of are:
Lomond Hills Regional Park
A unique example of partnership working that involves the land managers, users, communities and rangers. The Regional Park has a mixture of designated natural heritage sites and key recreational and access opportunities, with educational and interpretive work to support it.
Lochore Meadows and Townhill Country Parks
Although predominantly used as bases for rangers these sites also provide opportunities to demonstrate good practice in site management, run public events, involve community groups and provide educational and interpretive opportunities using custom-made facilities.
7 Local Nature Reserves
These sites cover some of the most important habitats in Fife as well as providing opportunities for community access and involvement. The reserves are at the Eden Estuary, Torry Bay, Coul Den, Cullaloe, Dalbeath Marsh, Gillingshill and Birnie/Gaddon. A wide range of practical conservation, monitoring, volunteer, access and interpretive work is undertaken at these sites.
Fife Coastal Path
This route not only provides a focus for both tourist and local access, it runs past a number of award beaches and SSSI sites. The focus of the route is the integration of these elements together with working with the many landowners over whose land the path runs.
27 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
These sites vary across the whole of Fife from the Regional Park to the Coast. The rangers undertake monitoring and visitor access management on a number of them.
300 kilometres of access routes
The planning and maintenance of the Core Path Network is going to be a feature of the work over the next three years. Rangers are already working with communities and landowners over much of Fife on existing routes to facilitate effective access opportunities. Extra work is likely to happen as a result of community consultation and planning in developing the Core Path Network.
We provide opportunities for individuals and communities to become involved in:
Outdoor Learning – as part of the "life-long learning" agenda, promoting and encouraging personal and social development, the wider understanding and appreciation of Fife’s countryside, the relationship between people and the natural environment and its significance to the quality of life.
Countryside Conservation - protecting and managing the environment, including its wildlife, habitats and landscapes in a sustainable way for its enlightened use and enjoyment;
Countryside Recreation – the key feature of this element is enabling and promoting access to the countryside for its sustainable use for social, cultural, recreational and sporting purposes.
Julie Horsburgh
Senior Ranger
Tel: 01592 748334
Mob: 07951 349934
email: julie.hoursburgh@fife.gov.uk