The job advert sounds almost too good to be true: Working on the coast and on sailing ships, active environmental and climate protection, personal development. And all this in an international community of like-minded young people - and paid! However, the number of places is limited and applicants must first prove themselves in a boot camp.
The boot camp for prospective Sea Rangers
The boot camp will take place from 7 to 14 February 2025 and will accommodate thirty participants aged 18 to 29. The Sea Ranger Service will then select seven participants to become part of the new group of Sea Rangers, working on a paid basis to restore important coastal ecosystems such as seagrass. No previous training is required, but participants should be fit and able to swim. During the training camp, they will be physically challenged and train their teamwork skills and mental resilience.
Adventure and coastal protection
The new generation of Sea Rangers will focus specifically on the restoration of European coasts. The founder of the organisation, Wietse van der Werf, explains: "These new rangers will be specially trained in seagrass restoration, planting and monitoring. There is a great demand for our work in Europe. Our organisation is growing rapidly and we are a talent factory for young people who are actively involved in climate research and conservation."
The young people will not only work in the Netherlands, but also in other European countries such as France and Spain. Van der Werf adds: "In the long term, we want to carry out even more specialised research. From next year, a small workboat will already be in use for coastal repairs. The role of the Sea Rangers is becoming increasingly diverse." Not all young people sign up for nature restoration purely out of motivation: "Some are looking for an adventure or simply find it exciting. But being a Sea Ranger really changes them: you become part of something bigger than yourself. Pursuing a common mission has a powerful effect on people."
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The Sea Rangers have been actively involved in coastal restoration, nature conservation and maritime research since 2016. The Dutch organisation owns the working vessel "Fantastiko" and plans to add another sailing ship by 2025. Another focus is on social commitment: they train young people from different backgrounds for careers in the maritime sector. The Sea Ranger Service is continuously expanding and has now also opened a branch in the UK. You can find more information about their work and the boot camp here: searangers.org
Inspired by US President Franklin Roosevelt
The Sea Ranger model was inspired by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work programme launched by US President Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s during the Great Depression. This programme provided employment for 3 million unemployed young men, led to the establishment of 800 national parks and enabled the planting of over 3.2 billion trees.
