Meet Ivana – a Croatian nature ranger breaking barriers

Ivana Lagetar (Photo: Sunce)

In the heart of the Adriatic, within the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park, Ivana Lagetar has worked as a nature ranger for four years, witnessing daily the beauty and challenges of this unique protected area.

The Lastovo Archipelago, comprising 46 islands and reefs, spans 196 square kilometres. Its extraordinary marine and underwater biodiversity significantly enhances its value.

Many of the archipelago’s plant and animal species are endangered and listed on the Red List of Threatened Species.

The area is also crucial for bird migration, making its preservation a demanding task that requires versatility, perseverance, and a deep love of nature.

In Sunce’s conversation with Ivana, we learned what inspired her to take on this role, as well as the challenges she faces in her work.

“It Was Challenging to Prove Myself as a Woman in This Job”

Ivana developed her love for the sea and nature in childhood, fishing with her father. This connection to nature, combined with experience gained during seasonal work at the Park, motivated her to apply for the position of nature ranger.

“I worked seasonally at the Park for two years before my colleagues encouraged me to apply. Although proving myself as a woman in this role was challenging, I was drawn to the dynamic and varied tasks involved,” Ivana explains.

Ivana Lagetar (Photo: Sunce)

Being a ranger in the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park is far from simple—it demands a diverse skill set. Rangers must act as skippers, firefighters, researchers, and divers, according to Ivana.

“Our work is incredibly varied. One day we might be monitoring marine life underwater, the next we’re patrolling remote parts of the archipelago, and another day we’re responding to fire emergencies. It’s never boring—each day brings a new experience,” she shares. Ivana especially enjoys being at sea and exploring the underwater world, as well as having access to pristine nature unavailable to others.

Her favourite part of the archipelago is the island of Sušac.

“Sušac has a unique energy and microclimate. Its northern side is forested, while the southern side is barren, dominated by an impressive lighthouse. Diving at Cape Tršćavac is an unforgettable experience,” Ivana says with enthusiasm.

(Photo: Sunce)

Despite the challenges, Ivana is grateful to her colleagues for encouraging her to take on this role.

“Many people hold prejudices about what women can or cannot do, especially in fields like maritime work. Sometimes I have to prove my abilities, which can be frustrating. But I believe my work and results help change attitudes. While some doubted my ability as a woman and a boat captain, I’ve shown that I can handle the role just as well as my male colleagues,” Ivana recalls, laughing about early mishaps, like when a visitor accidentally lost their towel during a routine boat check.

A Shortage of Rangers in Croatia

Ivana points out that nature conservation in Croatia is still developing.

“Croatia has significant natural wealth requiring proper protection and oversight. However, there’s still a shortage of rangers compared to the number of protected areas, a challenge other countries manage better,” she notes.

(Photo: Sunce)

Despite the shortage, Ivana sees a positive trend in the sector, with more rangers, including women, being hired.

“There’s still room for improvement, but I’m pleased with the direction we’re heading. At the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park, we now have eight rangers, as two new colleagues joined this year. Hopefully, this will ease the workload, especially during the peak season when the Park sees a surge in visitors arriving by sea and land,” she says.

Ivana highlights the physical demands of the job, particularly in summer when rangers spend hours in the sun, on boats, or patrolling the terrain.

Administrative tasks, such as ticketing, are less enjoyable for her but remain essential. The summer influx of visitors also requires intense communication efforts. Working with the small local community of 500–600 residents is easier since everyone knows each other.

(Photo: Sunce)

Seasonal Challenges in a Protected Area

Tourism brings specific challenges, particularly as many visitors are unaware of the regulations for protected areas.

“When you approach someone to enforce the rules, reactions vary. Some are curious and ask about the birds they’ve seen, while others are uninterested or upset about being confronted. It’s not always easy, especially when dealing with people ignoring the rules or damaging the environment,” Ivana says.

She recounts situations where visitors have lit fires near nests of protected species or treated rangers dismissively.

“Keeping calm in such moments, especially in the heat and under pressure, is hard. But maintaining a professional tone with patience and clear communication is crucial. Women often excel in these areas—we’re more communicative, better at languages, and often have more patience in stressful situations,” Ivana observes.

(Photo: Sunce)

On land, illegal waste disposal is a common issue, while at sea, problems include unauthorised fishing, underwater activities, and habitat destruction. Many visitors mistakenly assume their recreational fishing permits apply within the Park, unaware that a special permit is required from the Park Authority.

“Anchor damage is another major issue, destroying vital seagrass meadows. We encourage visitors to use one of four ecological anchoring locations: Saplun Bay, Skrivena Luka, Vejo Lago, and Zaklopatica. Studies are underway to identify more such locations, with plans to eventually prohibit free anchoring to protect marine habitats,” Ivana explains.

Managing Protected Marine Areas

Managing coastal and marine protected zones is challenging due to overlapping institutional responsibilities and the limited authority of rangers, particularly at sea.

As Croatia’s most remote inhabited island, Lastovo poses additional logistical difficulties. Ivana hopes that projects like EFFICIENTN2K, which provide recommendations for improved oversight and enforcement, will strengthen conservation efforts in the future.

(Photo: Sunce)

What Everyone Should Know About Being a Ranger

When asked how she would inspire someone to pursue this career, Ivana emphasises a love for nature and a readiness for challenges.

“This job is for those eager to learn, adapt, and make a daily difference. If you want to work outdoors, stay active, and feel that your work has meaning, this is the ideal opportunity. It requires patience and dedication, but knowing you’re making a difference is worth every effort,” she assures.

Ivana believes awareness of the ranger profession should be promoted, especially among schoolchildren, as many people are unfamiliar with the role.

“Children often ask me, ‘Are you a police officer?’ They see the uniform and badge but don’t understand why I don’t have a gun. This highlights the need for education and promotion of this profession. Interviews like this are a great way to showcase the role of women in this field and increase its visibility,” she concludes.

(Photo: Sunce)

Ivana Lagetar’s work and that of her colleagues underscore the importance of versatility in conservation and serve as a testament to how a love of nature can lead to a fulfilling career in this demanding yet rewarding profession.