Press release from 10.07.2023
A new face on the Rothaarsteig
Jannick Rüsche joins the Ranger Südwestfalen team
Südwestfalen. His new work clothes? A distinctive hat and weatherproof trekking clothing! His workplace? One of the most popular long-distance hiking trails in Germany: the Rothaarsteig! Jannick Rüsche joined the Ranger Südwestfalen team of the Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW a few weeks ago. The trained forester has a wide range of tasks. In addition to the conservation and maintenance of nature and infrastructure on and around the "Trail of the Senses", the 28-year-old looks forward to sharing his specialist knowledge of the local flora and fauna and his knowledge of how to treat nature with care in an intensive exchange with hikers every day.
Jannick Rüsche is out and about on the middle section of the Rothaarsteig, a certified quality hiking trail that stretches around 154 kilometers from Brilon in the Sauerland to Dillenburg at the foot of the Westerwald and runs mainly through the Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park. For the 28-year-old from Attendorn, joining the ranger team is a professional dream come true. "I'm a Sauerland native through and through and love being out and about in the local countryside. Ecological forest management is very close to my heart," says Jannick Rüsche, looking forward to the new challenges. It is a matter close to his heart to be able to pass on his knowledge of the local flora and fauna to young people and adults alike as part of environmental education. "Communicating ecological relationships, making my contribution to nature conservation and raising awareness among people of all ages is a fantastic task." From now on, he will have many opportunities to do this on guided hikes and during chance encounters along the Rothaarsteig. "During the hikes, I want to inspire guests and locals alike with the beauty of the Rothaarsteig and the entire region."
To get a comprehensive overview of his new area of work, Jannick Rüsche is currently doing a lot of walking on the "Trail of the Senses". "I'm also currently making lots of new and important contacts, for example with tourism professionals and hiking clubs along the route, local foresters, forest owners and nature conservation organizations." Jannick Rüsche is easy to recognize: he wears a distinctive hat and weatherproof trekking clothing.
Info box about the Rothaarsteig and the rangers
- A total of 5 rangers, who divide the trail into sections, are on duty along the Rothaarsteig and look after the well-being of nature along the Rothaarsteig;
- The rangers' tasks also include ensuring compliance with regulations to protect the forest, its animals and plants, as well as maintaining the paths and infrastructure along the Rothaarsteig. They also make an important contribution to environmental education with their guided tours for children and adults;
- Named after their colleagues from the national parks in the USA, the rangers of the Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW look after the three major long-distance hiking trails in Südwestfalen;
- Further information on the rangers of Südwestfalen: www.wald-und-holz.nrw.de/wald-erleben/ranger;
- All information about the Rothaarsteig: www.rothaarsteig.de; e-mail: info@rothaarsteig.de
- Service number of the Rothaarsteig Association: 02974/4994163.