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My dream as an elementary student was to become a game warden some day. (at my 30th H.School reunion some years ago, I was reminded of this by former schoolmates!) A person who made a difference in this decision was our local Pennsylvania Game Protector in Dauphin County. The year was 1965 or '66 when I was 13 or 14. My friends and I played ice hockey on a pond in the middle of a local game refuge, posted of course with many No Trespassing signs. The pond was about ½ mile inside the refuge. We found a dead deer, frozen into the ice, and thought that we should tell SOMEBODY...like the local game protector. Of course, I was chosen and made the call. Fully expecting to have him chew me out and show up at our home to arrest me as I 'confessed' our trespass, I was very happy to have a calm discussion with him. He thanked me for the information, advised me that it was dangerous to ice skate on such a remote pond where no one might ever find us if we got in trouble, and encouraged me in my love of the outdoors. I don't know his name and never met him. But, that day confirmed in my heart that I would become a 'game protector' too. I've never forgotten his even-tempered approach, calm demeanor, and desire to help a young man when he could have verbally let me have it. It took many years to attain that goal, but I believe his example has helped me as I have dealt with the public daily for the past 25 years.
Sincerely,
Captain Doug Huckins
Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game
Monterey, CA
Modern
environmental protection is a diverse discipline. Wardens, Rangers, Agents
and Conservation Officers watch over parks, 
forests,
waterways, migratory paths, federal and tribal lands and military bases.
An officer's jurisdiction might be thousands of miles of rugged back country
or a section of urban pavement.
The general public knows that Game wardens check fishing licenses. They may not know Game Wardens across North America also fight forest fires, perform avalanche control, carry out wildlife captures and relocations, execute remote search and rescue operations, patrol international borders and prosecute the organized wildlife black market.
Conservation Officers often work alone. Their jobs are often dangerous. They risk and sometimes sacrifice their lives protecting the environment.
Regardless of the risk, at the front of the thin green line you will find Game Wardens.
Honor
Roll |
Conservation Officers face tremendous challenges in protecting resources that know no borders.
For
many years, throughout North America, state and provincial agencies operated
completely independent of their neighbors without the benefit of cross-training
and professional communication between agencies. But this profession is
noted for its ingenuity. In 1980, a small group of field officers gathered
to discuss ways to improve conservation enforcement across the continent.
The North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (N.A.W.E.O.A.)
was the eventual result of that meeting.
In
the 25 years since NAWEOA was established with 16 members, the organization
has grown. NAWEOA will celebrate its silver anniversary 8,000 officers
strong
with a diverse membership base spanning a broad range of agencies and
officers from every U.S. state and Canadian province.
This
organization is responsible for providing a number of conservation
enforcement
firsts in North America: first international training program, first
North American conference for field officers, first system to honor
officers who have fallen in
the line of duty and first to provide a support system for survivors
of fallen officers.
They joined other North American enforcement organizations in broadly recognizing their fallen comrades and in providing a support system for survivors.
The
men and women of this profession have chosen this work as much more than
a way to make a living. It is, for most, a lifestyle and a way
to make a difference. And Resource Officers DO make a difference
every day - in the field, in classrooms and in courtrooms.
In pursuit of that goal on a greater scale, the officers of NAWEOA have committed to a major outreach program – the creation of the only institution in the world dedicated to educating the public about natural resource protection and to honoring the profession's heroes.