As of: April 5, 2024 5:00 a.m
Twelve rangers have been protecting nature on Schleswig-Holstein’s Baltic Sea coast since November 2023. One of them is André Draack. He was previously an educator.
When André Draack prepares for his duties, he can get started after just a few simple steps. Backpack on, binoculars around my neck and a few flyers in my pocket. Today he is out and about in Pelzerhaken, wanting to talk to people there and educate them about nature conservation. The protected area rangers work primarily preventatively.
Ranger André Draack was previously an educator in a daycare center and loves his new job as a ranger.
As he is walking on the promenade directly on the beach, after a few minutes a man with a dog comes towards him. Since the dog is not on a leash, the ranger speaks to him and points out that he is required to be on a leash. The man shows understanding: “Very sweetly spoken, very educational speech. The next time we meet here, my dog will be on a leash, I promise,” says the man and continues on – this time without a leash, it’s at home.
From educator to ranger
Until the end of last year, André Draack worked as an educator and ran a forest daycare center near Kiel. Now, after extensive training, he is a protected area ranger employed by the state. He is one of three rangers in the Ostholstein, Plön and Lübeck areas. The area stretches over ten kilometers along the Baltic Sea coast. Here they look after 15 so-called priority areas. This also includes the Nautra2000 area in Pelzer Haken.
It is always important to me to remain friendly. But also definitely say that the dog has to be on a leash. Ranger Andre Draack
They have no legal recourse against the people the rangers meet. “If the man had said he wouldn’t do it, it would have been difficult,” said Draack. In an emergency, they would have to call in security services or the police. As a rule, there is acceptance, says Draack.
Further information
With the help of information boards and rangers, visitors to the Baltic Sea are intended to be made aware of nature. more
Dogs disturb the offspring of birds
André Draack spends several hours outside every day, whatever the wind and weather. Today on his tour through Pelzer Haken he is lucky, the sun is shining. During these weeks the ranger is paying particular attention to the small bush landscapes and dunes directly on the promenade. Robins, stonechats and wagtails breed here. And above all, they all need peace and quiet to raise their offspring.
There are so many factors that influence the bird world. And so many species die because they can no longer find the breeding grounds, especially the ground-nesting ones. Ranger Andre Draack
Above all, Draack asks dog owners to keep their animals on a leash. But other pets such as cats could also disturb the peace.
Dream job as a protected area ranger
After André Draack spent an hour on the promenade in Pelzerhaken and talked to many people, he walks back along the beach. The first section is a dog beach, where the animals are allowed to run around freely. A couple still has their dog on a leash. When the ranger speaks to them, they say that children were playing a little further away and that’s why they had their dog on a leash. The ranger praises this.
I am very happy and grateful that these positions have been created. I like being outside and in contact with people.
As a ranger you have to be sociable, says André Draack: “I’m very happy with my job.” Through his work as an educator, his heart beats especially for young people. In the future, he also wants to bring people closer to nature through educational events – all for nature conservation.
Further information
The twelve rangers work in the areas of Lübeck, Ostholstein and Plön, among others. more
The time will soon come: fishermen in the region will become specialists in fisheries and the marine environment. The seminars are ongoing. more
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NDR 1 Wave North | News for Schleswig-Holstein | April 5, 2024 | 05:00 am