Federica BedendoNorth East and Cumbria

Adam Ormston/NNPA Jonny Snape, nature recovery ranger, and Matthew Squires, from The Squires Foundation. They are outdoors in an area of open countryside, with a lake in the background. They are both leaning on a gate or fence and smiling at the camera. Mr Snape is wearing a dark outdoor jacket, he has long blond curly hair tied back and a short beard. Mr Squires is bald with a trimmed brown beard. He is wearing a grey jumper.Adam Ormston/NNPA

Jonny Snape will be in the role funded with help from The Squires Foundation for three years

A new ranger will help restore natural habitats in a national park by training volunteers to help in conservation efforts.

The move by Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) will see community groups working to collect data on wildlife and habitats along the Hadrian’s Wall area.

They will put together recovery plans, promote biodiversity and share the benefits of nature-based land management with residents and visitors.

Jonny Snape, a former trail ranger on the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail who has been appointed to the role for three years said it had “opened my eyes to the bigger picture”.

Remains of Hadrian’s Wall, a Roman fortification, span from the Solway Firth in Cumbria to Wallsend in North Tyneside.

The role was funded with help from a £82,500 donation from The Squires Foundation, a Tyneside-based charity supporting environmental initiatives and helping disadvantaged groups.

The nature recovery ranger said: “This role has opened my eyes to the bigger picture of conservation – from practical skills like flood management and habitat restoration to working closely with farmers, landowners and partners.”

A cream and green Northumberland National Park: Please close the gate sign is nailed to a wooden gate. Lush, green fields stretch out behind it.

The Northumberland National Park Authority looks after the area around Hadrian’s Wall, which is rich in Roman history

Christine Venus, a director at NNPA said the move was an investment in “both biodiversity and people”.

“This role will help us deepen our work with communities, gather robust evidence on nature recovery and bring the story of this landscape to life for thousands of people,” she said.

Matthew Squires, secretary at the Squires Foundation, said the nature recovery ranger combined “conservation with education and inclusion”.

“The role will help create a healthier natural environment and a stronger connection between people and place,” he said.