The Ranger Service of Duna-Drava National Park Directorate

Its distinguished task is to protect and conserve, in addition to the 100,000 hectares of protected natural areas, all Natura 2000 sites and numerous protected and strictly protected species. It is also responsible for the conservation of natural areas (forests, grasslands, reed beds, natural waters), natural values (wild, non-protected plant and animal species, geological values) and nearly 6,000 archaeological sites registered within the operational area of the Directorate, and for preventing damage to them.

In the operational area of Duna-Drava National Park Directorate a ranger staff of about 30 people is in service. The operational area is divided into four nature conservation regional units. As members of the ranger service, the rangers (officially called “nature conservation area supervisors”) carry out nature conservation tasks under the direct supervision of the nature conservation head ranger. Each ranger is responsible for the administrative areas of several municipalities. By regularly patrolling the areas under their supervision, monitoring their condition and changes, and carrying out active protection tasks, they ensure the conservation and survival of the natural assets found there. Besides these assignments, they also play an important role in environmental education and awareness-raising: they are key actors in providing the directorate's popular guided tours.