When you think of a park ranger, you likely picture an outdoors type in khakis, traipsing through our wilderness caring for creatures and visitor amenities.
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It's a far cry from being murdered by poachers or taking your life in your hands every time you clock in for the day.
July 31 is World Ranger Day, not only raising awareness of the work park rangers do around the globe, but commemorating all those who have died during the course of that work.
The day has been marked since 1992, including by Far South Coast members of the Protected Area Workers Association (PAWA), of which George Malolakis is the chairman.
Mr Malolakis said the latest honour roll of rangers who have lost their lives was due out in coming days, but that deaths among protected area rangers around the globe have continued to rise over the last decade - whether through homicides, wildlife attacks or workplace accidents.
"So on World Ranger Day we commemorate those lives lost as well as honour their families and widows," he said (less than 10 per cent of rangers worldwide are female).
"The day is also about raising the profile of rangers. Worldwide, about 60 per cent of rangers have to buy their own boots.
"Around 70-80 per cent don't have first aid training and a big percentage don't have access to health insurance.
"Thankfully there's an increasing idea that they need to be recognised and celebrated."
Mr Malolakis said being a park ranger was a rewarding and varied role.
"We do everything from infrastructure projects, environmental assessments, and protection of cultural sites, to looking after endangered species and marine mammal rescues.
"There's even a specialist whale disentanglement team [in the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service] - not too many rangers around the world have to deal with 40-tonne animals!
"There's also firefighting and hazard reduction planning - it's a very important role," Mr Malolakis said.
"Rangers are nature's protectors. We're on the frontline of conservation around the world."
The Thin Green Line
Supporting rangers around the world is The Thin Green Line Foundation, the official charity arm of the International Ranger Federation.
As well as providing material support for under-resourced rangers, the foundation runs training programs in anti-poaching, violence avoidance and community engagement; pays salary supplements; offers medical assistance in conflict zones; advocates for rangers worldwide; and supports widows and families of rangers who lose their life in the course of their work.
To find out more or to donate to the charity, click here
Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
