World Female Ranger Week
June 22 - June 28
About World Female Ranger Week
World Female Ranger Week takes place from Monday 22 June to Sunday 28 June 2026, although the official campaign also recognises the 23–30 June dates used in some countries. Founded by adventurer Holly Budge through her charity How Many Elephants, the week amplifies the voices and stories of women working on the front line of wildlife conservation. From elephant rangers in Kenya to anti-poaching units in South Africa, the week celebrates a workforce that has long been overlooked.
What is World Female Ranger Week?
World Female Ranger Week is an international awareness week dedicated to female wildlife rangers. It celebrates their contribution to conservation, draws attention to the unique challenges they face, and pushes for better pay, equipment, training, and support. The week was created by How Many Elephants, a UK-registered charity that fights elephant poaching and the ivory trade through education and direct support to ranger units.
When is World Female Ranger Week?
World Female Ranger Week 2026 runs from Monday 22 June to Sunday 28 June 2026. The dates fall in late June each year, sometimes spanning 23–30 June, and are timed to draw maximum attention to ranger work during the northern hemisphere summer.
Why World Female Ranger Week Matters
Women make up only an estimated 11% of the global ranger workforce, despite evidence that female rangers often bring valuable skills in community engagement, intelligence gathering, and de-escalation. Female rangers face additional challenges including discrimination, lack of suitable equipment, and limited maternity provision. The week shines a light on this disparity, raises funds for female ranger units, and pushes governments and NGOs to invest in gender equity. It also celebrates extraordinary individuals: from the Black Mambas in South Africa to the Akashinga in Zimbabwe, female rangers are reshaping the future of conservation.
How to Get Involved in World Female Ranger Week
You do not need to be in Africa or Asia to make a difference:
- Donate to How Many Elephants – Funds go directly to front-line female ranger units, providing equipment, training, and support that governments often do not.
- Sponsor a ranger – Many partner organisations, including The Orangutan Project, IAPF, and Black Mambas APU, offer ranger sponsorship schemes.
- Attend a panel or webinar – The official World Female Ranger Week programme includes free online events featuring rangers, scientists, and conservationists.
- Spread the word on social media – Use #WorldFemaleRangerWeek and #WFRW2026 to amplify ranger stories and the campaign’s reach.
- Buy from conservation-supporting brands – Many ethical fashion and outdoor brands collaborate with the campaign to fund ranger work.
- Host a fundraiser – Schools, workplaces, and community groups can run quizzes, sponsored walks, or wildlife-themed events to support female rangers.
- Engage politicians and policymakers – Write to your MP about UK Aid for conservation, which often funds ranger programmes overseas.
History of World Female Ranger Week
World Female Ranger Week was launched in 2021 by Holly Budge, a British adventurer, conservationist, and the founder of How Many Elephants. Holly was inspired by the work of the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit, an all-female team protecting Balule Nature Reserve in South Africa. After meeting the Mambas in person, she became determined to give female rangers the global recognition they deserved.
How Many Elephants was originally established in 2013 as an awareness campaign and design exhibition to communicate the scale of African elephant poaching, with around 35,000 elephants killed each year for ivory at the height of the trade. The charity expanded its remit to include direct support for female ranger units, recognising that protecting elephants and other wildlife depends on supporting the people on the ground.
Since 2021, World Female Ranger Week has grown rapidly. It now features the World Female Ranger Awards, a global showcase that recognises outstanding rangers and ranger units. The campaign has identified more than 5,500 female rangers worldwide and continues to add to that number each year as visibility grows.
Noteworthy Facts About World Female Ranger Week
- World Female Ranger Week was launched in 2021 by Holly Budge of How Many Elephants.
- Women make up only around 11% of the global ranger workforce.
- The Black Mambas APU, established in 2013, was one of the first all-female anti-poaching units and inspired the campaign.
- The week has identified more than 5,500 female rangers worldwide and runs the World Female Ranger Awards each year.
- How Many Elephants was named to highlight the 35,000 African elephants killed each year at the peak of the ivory trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Female Ranger Week?
It is an international awareness week dedicated to female wildlife rangers, founded by How Many Elephants charity in 2021.
When is World Female Ranger Week in 2026?
It runs from Monday 22 June to Sunday 28 June 2026, with the official campaign also covering 23–30 June in some regions.
Who organises World Female Ranger Week?
The week is organised by How Many Elephants, a UK-registered charity founded by Holly Budge that works to combat the African elephant ivory trade and support front-line rangers.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing World Female Ranger Week with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #WorldFemaleRangerWeek and #WFRW2026 on social media. Every share helps fund and recognise the women on the front line of wildlife conservation.
Related Awareness Days
- World Bee Day – Another wildlife-focused observance highlighting threats to vital species.
- National Allotments Week – A week celebrating biodiversity at the community level.
- International Day of Families – Recognises families, including those whose livelihoods depend on protecting wildlife.
Links
- Visit the official World Female Ranger Week website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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