He recently announced his resignation: Sean Willmore, founder of the ranger support organisation Thin Green Line Foundation (TGLF). Sean was also a great supporter of us as European Ranger Federation and the cause of rangers on our continent, as we saw recently at the 6th European Ranger Congress: by providing valuable advice, inspiring motivation and active support.
We would therefore like to add to his declaration and that of the TGLF statements from current and former board members for whom Sean was and remains to be an important companion, great source of inspiration and often much more.
In October 2013, a memorable meeting took place in the Bavarian Forest National Park. On these beautiful autumn days, colleagues and friends of the global Ranger family from five different countries came together (photo below). They were Presidents, Vice Presidents and engaged members of the National Ranger Associations.
This meeting was an idea from Mario Schmid, Michael Großmann and Sean Willmore. It was very important for Sean to encourage Europe’s dedicated rangers to network much more effectively through twinning projects and training courses. Sean gave a moving account of his experiences in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He appealed to us to be more engaged.
Sean laid the foundation in our hearts and souls for greater unity among the European ranger family, setting in motion a movement that led to the cornerstone of the European Ranger Federation in the Czech Republic in 2017 (4th European Ranger Congress, organised by Borek Franek and Frank Grütz, the first President of ERF), with Sean and Florin (Hombre) in attendance. Ultimately, it is thanks to Sean Willmore’s tireless efforts that the ERF was made possible.
For this and much more, we thank him from the bottom of our hearts.
Florin Halastauan, current ERF President
Michael Großmann, former ERF board member and member of the ERF Council
ERF and IRF – and thus international ranger workfare – for me are strictly connected to Sean’s work and dedication. He is one of the driving foreces behind the international ranger network and mutual international support. The value of this innovative work cannot be overstated. For rangers, who usually roam their territories as lone wolves, building such an intensive network with a family-like character is invaluable.
Building support here that gives rangers courage in their everyday lives, because they are not fighting for nature alone, and also supporting the families of fallen rangers … for me, that is the basis of Sean’s irreplaceable work.
Thank you very much, Sean.
Urs Reif, ERF President 2021-2025 and member of the ERF Council
I first met Sean at the World Congress in Colorado, USA, in 2016, when he served as the organisation’s President. His straightforward ability to communicate at eye level with every person immediately captured my heart. The encounter with him and Florin (his Deputy at the time) was the driving force that pushed me after the Congress to become actively involved in the global IRF and ERF. I collaborated and was part of many projects that Sean championed: the European Ranger Federation (ERF), the Twinning Project, Anti-Poaching training in Israel, and many others. Projects like the Twinning created vital bridges of knowledge between rangers worldwide. Sean had an immense part in the success of this initiative, particularly the highly successful partnership between Israel and Germany.
I wish Sean great success, health, and much happiness on his new path. He was a tireless advocate and first responder for the welfare of the world’s most vulnerable conservation heroes. He granted the entire community a voice and crucial direct support for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Ilan Yeger, ERF Vice President 2022-2025 and member of the ERF Council
Personally Sean gave me the inspiration to do more for others! I was inspired by his story when he first addressed the Rangers at the WRC in Stirling, Scotland in 2006.
Having done so much to make the World aware about the issues facing Rangers and to make such a positive impact in helping support those with less, he deserves a well earned rest and to concentrate on his own well being and his family. No doubt though, he will still be involved in one way or another!
It would be hard to quantify the impact that Sean’s work has had on Rangers throughout the World but suffice to say that there are many that wouldn’t be in such a good place without his wisdom and support. His enduring personality took everyone he met with him and is the reason why the Thin Green Line Foundation is so strong and active today.
Ian Brooker, ERF Vice President 2020-2022 and member of the ERF Council
For several years, especially during the preparations for the founding of the ERF, I met Sean often. From the very beginning, I was deeply impressed by his passion, his openness and warmth towards all rangers worldwide, and his outstanding ability to cheer people up, motivate them and inspire them.
I hope he retains his high spirits for a long time to come.
Sean gave everything he could to support rangers in need around the world. They were and are his life. There are no words to describe his commitment to the IRF and the ERF.
Frank Grütz, ERF President 2017-2020 and member of the ERF Council
In 1992 Gordon Miller and other visionaries established the International Ranger Federation (IRF). Their foresight has seen the IRF grow over the years into a worldwide ranger family, robustly supported for the past 20 years by Sean and the TGLF. I have worked closely with Sean and TGLF during these 20 years, particularly in respect of the support and recognition for fallen rangers. His passion, dedication and charisma have been significant factors contributing to building the success of the Thin Green Line and its support for rangers and their families.
Europe has especially benefitted from Sean’s active encouragement that European rangers have taken in their successful Twinning initiatives throughout the region.
Roger Cole, ERF Vice President 2017-2020 and member of the ERF Council
Meeting Sean Willmore for the first time at the IRC in Nepal marked me in ways I only came to understand with time. His humanity, humility, and unwavering commitment to camaraderie and solidarity have shaped not only individuals, but entire organisations. The values and leadership style he brought to the International Ranger Federation, and later to the Thin Green Line Foundation he created, became essential pillars that helped form the foundations of what the European Ranger Federation is today.
Sean placed people — not structures, politics, or acronyms — at the heart of everything. Through his example, he forged a culture of standing together across borders and supporting one another as a global family. His legacy is one of connection, compassion, and courage. It remains one of the reasons I am committed to contributing to the European Ranger Federation.
Thank you, Sean, for your light, your kindness, and for reminding us every day what it truly means to be a ranger.
Borja Díaz, ERF Training Officer 2012-current
For me, the history of the ERF is inextricably linked to Sean and his significant impulse for its founding – when I first heard it, I had tears in my eyes, and I still do when I think about it. This is one of the reasons why the ERF holds a special place in my heart and inspires me – it is a very human story of compassion, courage and determination to be the stewards of life and nature and those who selflessly protect it. I think the world today desperately needs hope and inspiration – Sean’s own example surely provides that.
I wish Sean exciting new horizons in his new beginning, and we are all here to lend him a shoulder to lean on and open our hearts, from ranger to ranger.
Maria Gurscaia, ERF Secretary 2024-current
I have met Sean for the first time at the European Ranger Congress in Tirana, Albania in 2022. I was directly impressed by his passion that instantly inspired me, and I wish him to keep that spirit as well in the future.
There are no words for what extraordinary contribution Sean has done to support the worldwide ranger family. I hope that ERF and European Rangers can still profit from his experience in the future.
Lars Scharfe, ERF Vice President 2025-current