The Ranger's Lodge
Built a little over a 150 years ago, right after the decision was made to make the Crumbling Woods a strict nature reserve, this building was erected at the edge of the the Crumbling Woods, for ecological research purposes. At the time, the first park rangers were appointed, though their function was very different than it is today.
The building was taken in use in 1838, and soon after the park rangers found it insufficient to only strictly observe and research the biodiversity of the flora and fauna. Many vouched for including species management in their tasks.
As such, from the very early days, the building was used for both research, and the treatment of plant and animal disease. Being progressive for the time, the park rangers of the Crumbling Woods have contributed to the greater knowledge of several species of bird, a few subspecies of deer and the study of deciduous trees, among others, in both a theoretical context as a clinical one, devising experimental treatments when necessary.
The opening of the park to the public in 1943 has brought a shift in its purpose yet again. As the tasks for the park rangers started to include the education of the public, tour guides and experienced educators were hired to ensure all went well. As it turned out, having a place to take their breaks and bond with their colleagues outside of the visitation area was crucial to employee satisfaction. Some space was created in the Park Ranger's Lodge for their recreation, and this is also where the name of the building originates from.
The Park Ranger's Lodge is still used as a clinic and research facility to this day, even though the official stance of the Crumbling Woods National Park on species management has matured over time. The park rangers now exhibit much more restraint to intervene with the nature reserve, and only use their facility as a clinic in calamities and other exceptional circumstances. Having nature run its course in this way has been shown to actually increase biodiversity in the area, even if that sometimes comes at the cost of individual species count on some occasions.
Map
Type
Clinic
