The ranger team of the Tuzly Estuaries National Nature Park won the international “Ranger of the Year” award, placing second among laureates from 13 countries.
The ceremony took place on October 11 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) presented the 2025 International Ranger Awards to 13 laureates — six individual rangers and seven teams.
"The 2025 International Ranger Award highlights the courage and relentless dedication of rangers worldwide. They are the guardians of the planet’s most valuable ecosystems," said IUCN Director General Dr. Gretel Aguilar.
The award for the park was received by its director, Iryna Vykhrystyuk, who emphasized that it is “recognition of the work of Ukraine’s protected area institutions, particularly under conditions of war.”
The winner of the award was the team from Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo) for their courageous protection of natural areas against corruption and exploitation.
The award is presented by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, the International Ranger Federation (IRF), and the Global Wildlife Conservation Foundation.
The Tuzly Estuaries National Nature Park was established in 2010. Its territory encompasses 13 marine estuaries between the Danube and Dniester rivers — internationally significant wetlands through which millions of birds migrate. The park is home to 266 species, including pink flamingos, which have nested in the park for the second consecutive year.
