“When Sean told me about the condition in which he found so many of the rangers, it completely rang bell because I know: I know that this is that case. To meet somebody who actually wanted to do something about it was, for me, very exciting.”
During the ten years Sean Willmore worked as a Park Ranger in Australia, he came face to face with his fair share of dangers. There were, of course, encounters with deadly snakes and the like; a few close calls with trigger-happy pig hunters and their savage dogs; and his and a colleague’s desperate and sadly unsuccessful attempt to save a drowning man in the waters off Wilson's Promontory, Victoria, in 1997 (for which he was later awarded a medal of bravery from the Royal Humane Society).
Humble beginnings…
It was at a 2003 International Ranger Federation conference, however, that Sean began to learn about the serious challenges faced by rangers in other parts of the world.
He met people who, while on the job, had been shot with high-powered weapons and slashed with machetes. He was told about commercial poachers and mad-eyed militias with AK47s in Africa, drug lords in South America, illegal loggers in Southeast Asia, and more.
He found it difficult to comprehend the threats these people faced while going about the business of protecting their patch – often for little, if any, reward.
“I realised that these people are truly on the front line of conservation work,” says Sean. “They knowingly put their lives at risk, all in the name of looking after endangered species and ecosystems on behalf of all of us.”
A chance encounter…
Soon after, Sean put his life on hold, cashed in all his chips and set off across the world with a plan to document the stories of his brave colleagues. With no journalistic experience, and armed with only a small hand-held video camera, he jumped in the deep end of documentary making.
Taking almost 12 months to travel through 23 countries, and with special access to many remote wilderness areas because of his ranger status, Sean managed to capture hours of incredible footage and to uncover the inspiring stories of the ranger friends he made along the way.
When he arrived back in Australia, he pieced together the footage and went to work trying to get the documentary shown to the public.
On 31 July 2007, the inaugural World Ranger Day, The Thin Green Line premiered in 35 countries in 330 locations and captured the hearts of people worldwide. Even Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger jumped on the bandwagon, declaring July 31 California State Park Ranger Day.
Capturing the story…
As successful as the film was, the question at its core – who will support these rangers and their families? – inspired Sean to do more. So, on the night of the film premiere, he launched The Thin Green Line Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing timely support to rangers and their widows and projects that help prevent further deaths and assist their conservation efforts.
'How would people feel if a ranger was shot and killed in Kakadu or Yosemite every second day?’ asks Sean. 'Thin Green Line says to these guys, we've got your back. And if something happens to you, we'll look after your family too.'
Since founding the first charity dedicated to supporting rangers and their families, the organisation has provided many millions of dollars in support directly to the people and places most in need. And not only does it provide a vital lifeline to the frontlines of conservation, it is a critical advocate for rangers’ rights and protection.
The work of the Thin Green Line has also encouraged many other individuals and organisations to join the movement and create change.
Laying the foundations…
Sean’s story, and his work as the founder of The Thin Green Line Foundation and former President of the International Ranger Federation, has been covered by Australian Story, Foreign Correspondent, The Project, The Guardian, The New York Times, National Geographic and many more.
He has met with kings and princes, presidents and billionaires, rock stars and movie stars. He’s been charged by elephants, confronted by poachers and gone undercover in Africa to expose the illegal ivory industry. All in a bid to create awareness and fund this important cause.
Sean has won numerous awards, including the Banksia Foundation International Award for Conservation (2014), the United Nations Association Of Australia Environment Medal (2009), the Melbourne Award for Conservation (2013), the Pride Of Australia Environment Award (2013) and the International Ranger Federation Award (2006). He has been nominated for Australian of The Year for eight years running. He also is the Recipient of The Royal Humane Society Bravery Medal for a rescue attempt as an Australian park ranger. He has also written a best-selling series of children’s books called ‘Ranger in Danger’.
Today, Sean stands as a passionate leader and advocate for rangers on conservation’s front lines. His dedication to the issue has led to incredible positive change. And he remains a vital spokesperson for the brave men and women who risk it all to protect our natural world.
