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Green fields highlighted by sunrays through heavy clouds from Curbar Edge

Junior Rangers


Junior Ranger logoJunior Rangers are young people aged 11 to 16 who enjoy being outdoors in the National Park. They take part in activities led by National Park Rangers and learn skills to help look after the Peak District National Park.

The Junior Ranger programme operates across UK National Parks and our groups are affiliated to the Europarc Federation (who represent National Parks and protected landscapes across Europe).

What do Junior Rangers do?

  • Learn skills to help look after the National Park
  • Spend time in the outdoors doing practical conservation tasks
  • Have fun learning new skills with people your own age
  • Gain an understanding of the special qualities of National Parks
  • Get experience of the work of a National Park Ranger

Young people can join at any age, and are asked to sign up to an agreement and attend a minimum of eight sessions per year.

The programme is split into 6 areas including:

  • Access, recreation and tourism
  • Landscape and geology
  • Ecology, habitat and biodiversity
  • Cultural heritage
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Communities, stakeholders and partnerships

The programme allows them to gain the experience required  to support access to careers or further qualifications in the countryside/conservation sector or to progress to becoming an adult volunteer.

All Junior Rangers will receive a waterproof jacket be and a record book for recording their activities. Sessions take place once a month on either a Saturday or Sunday (depending on the group) and last for three hours.

Here is a video made by the Millers Dale group of Junior Rangers:

Where are the groups located?

There are three active Junior Ranger groups run by the Peak District National Park, located at:

  • South west Peak (Staffordshire Moorlands)
  • Millers Dale (near Bakewell and Buxton)
  • Buxton/Goyt valley

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust also run three nearby groups (please contact DWT directly

  • Carsington Water - meet Sunday once a month 1-4pm (currently a waiting list to join)
  • The Avenue (Chesterfield) - meet Sunday once a month 1-3pm (places available)
  • Woodside (Shipley) - meet Sunday once a month 10am-12 (places available)

How will this help me for the future?

Junior rangers have the chance to explore the Peak District, learning from full-time rangers carrying out practical tasks, whilst having fun and learning new skills. The activities include carrying out tasks safely, working as a team, learning identification and surveying skills (wildlife and archaeology and being creative using natural materials. Practical tasks such as tree and sphagnum moss planting will leave a legacy for the future helping to lock up carbon and mitigate the effects of climate change . Skills learned will benefit those looking to go on to study or looking for a career in countryside conservation, outdoor education, tourism, outdoor pursuits and many other practical roles.

We are also interested in hearing from those of you who would like to volunteer and help out with the running of our Junior Ranger groups.

How do I join a Junior Ranger group?

As of May 2025 we are not able to offer places for new Junior Rangers, any changes and opportunities to join groups will be announced here with a link to join up.

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