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Short abstract:

Park rangers play a crucial role in sustaining life and biodiversity. Based on ethnographic research in two Chilean national parks and interviews with several park rangers, this article examines their mediating, translating, and caring practices to the production of environmental conservation.

Long abstract:

Park rangers play a crucial role in sustaining life and conserving biodiversity. They undertake tasks such as nurturing and restoring environmentally damaged areas, safeguarding park boundaries by facilitating access and maintaining trails, serving as the visible representatives of NGOs and the state to local communities, and managing relationships with neighbors and wildlife. They also provide guidance and information to visitors, gather scientific data on endemic flora and fauna, and conduct environmental education for schools and public institutions, among other duties. Despite their multifaceted contributions essential for life's reproduction (Skewes, 2019), park rangers often do not receive adequate recognition. This lack of recognition (Honneth, 2016) is evidenced by strikes and protests for improved working conditions, as well as conflicts with neighbors or tourists who neglect park preservation. Understanding how park rangers navigate these frictions (Tsing, 2011) is critical for comprehending how conservation, as a socio-material practice, unfolds in specific territories. Drawing on Science and Technology Studies (STS) perspectives, this paper employs ethnographic materials and interviews conducted with park rangers at two national parks—Alerce Costero and Pumalín—to elucidate their roles in mediating, translating, and contributing to conservation efforts. Particular attention is paid to their motivations and professional identity. We argue that despite facing adverse working conditions, park rangers in Chile often exhibit high levels of motivation, especially when engaged in nature preservation activities, exercising autonomy in their tasks, and working outdoors. Their role as mediators and producers of conservation is vital for infusing their work with significance and purpose.