TO CELEBRATE WORLD RANGER DAY WE CHAT WITH LEW, FOUNDER OF THE SOCKSTAR PROJECT
To celebrate World Ranger Day, we caught up with Lew - founder of The SockStar Project to chat about the awesome work that his organisation does to support wildlife rangers.
Wildlife Rangers are critical to the success of conservation efforts. Whilst they receive weapons and technologies, often the basic welfare personal items that they need are missed.
The SockStar Project was founded to support wildlife rangers and on-the-ground conservationists by supplying them with the boots, socks or pants they need to work in comfort.
The SockStar project are striving to make a change, one sock, one boot and one ranger at a time.
1. Please can you tell me a bit more about The SockStar Project and what inspired you to start a charity?
I think the idea for SockStar supporting rangers began when I was growing up. I realised that although they protect wildlife, they are not necessarily fully supported with their equipment. I was inspired by the fact that anyone in the modern world can make a difference.
2. How did you learn about the role of wildlife rangers and the importance of the role they play in conservation?
My mother is in conservation, and I used to ask lots (perhaps too many) questions about the wild world and all the intricate workings of it. I think certainly growing up around open spaces brought me closer with nature from a very young age too.
3. How can families here in the UK really understand their role and how can they help?
I think there are two key things...
Everyone has a part to play and no one is too big or too small to make a meaningful difference. If everyone takes one moment of their day to try and make the world a better place, then I bet it would be!
You can help support rangers and wildlife more generally in lots of different ways. If you are still at school, speak to your teachers about it and make it clear that you want to learn more about the environment! If you are older, challenge the government to act, uphold the momentum we are making and always, always stay positive and spread the message that we should, can and will win this battle to protect Mother Earth!
4. Do you have a role model that has inspired your career so far?
I'd have to say that there are a few conservationists who are making waves, such as Doctor Niall McCann, who I work with at National Park Rescue - he has always been a friend of SockStar, as well as an all-round good guy!
5. What has been your biggest challenge (Or greatest achievement?) since starting The SockStar Project?
The greatest challenge has been balancing my life at uni, at home and everywhere else with SockStar - it can be very time consuming, although I feel empowered to keep on keeping on with it! Our greatest achievement was definitely recently raising £10.5k this year - with all of it heading, as usual to our fantastic partner projects!
6. Please let us know if you have a favourite animal (and why)?
I think it would have to be Wild Dogs! They are incredible species, amazingly intelligent and real team players.
7. Can you let us know the animal that you think is most under threat and reliant on wildlife rangers?
The most threatened species are the ivory species; rhino and elephant... I think the ludicrous value of their ivory make them really appealing for poachers. However, rangers do a brilliant job in many cases to protect them, and long may that continue!
You can learn more about the fantastic work of The SockStar Project here.
