The Association was founded in 1966 as The Association of National Park and Countryside Wardens.
As the management of the UKs protected areas became more widely extended, emphasis was placed on the development of ranger services. This led to a change of name in 1969, to include rangers working within and outside the National Parks – The Association of National Park and Countryside Rangers.
In 1976, the name was changed again to The Association of Countryside Rangers (ACR) in line with the wider spectrum of ranger posts. ACR grew and gained influence as a network for the exchange of ideas and management practices among individuals in the front line of countryside management.
As the discipline of countryside management evolved, the roles of countryside staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland became more diverse to encompass the management of parks, urban greenspace and associated project work. To fully reflect these changes and embrace all those working in the sector, the Association changed its name in 1993 from ACR to the Countryside Management Association (CMA).
Honorary President, Gordon Miller
Gordon Miller was one of a small group of rangers, back in 1966, who was instrumental in setting up what is now the CMA. He is the CMA’s Honorary President and is held in high esteem both here and by rangers across the world as he also went on to initiate the International Ranger Federation (IRF).
