Panama to build National School of Park Rangers

Panama’s Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) has announced plans to construct the National School of Park Rangers within the Camino de Cruces National Park. The facility is intended to enhance the training and professionalization of personnel responsible for protecting the country’s protected areas.

The project aims to meet international standards through collaboration with global experts and the University of Colorado. This initiative follows a significant increase in active park rangers, which grew from 141 to 631 over a 26-month period. The administration has set a target of reaching 724 active rangers by December 2026.

Minister of Environment Juan Carlos Navarro emphasized the importance of providing permanent positions and high-quality equipment for these roles. Recently, 34 new park rangers graduated and will be deployed to safeguard various ecosystems, including forests, rivers, wetlands, and marine-coastal areas.