Department selects Conservation Officer of the Year

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Kevin Aylward extended congratulations today to Alfred Ryan who has been selected as Conservation Officer of the Year for Newfoundland and Labrador. Ryan was unanimously selected by a committee of the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods.

Officer Ryan, a graduate of the now College of the North Atlantic, is a 12 year veteran who began his career as a resource officer in Sop�s Arm. From there he was transferred to the district office of Massey Drive where he spent three years before moving to the St. George�s district office where he currently holds the position of Conservation Officer II.

Minister Aylward said: "Throughout his career Officer Ryan�s commitment and dedication to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this province have been outstanding. He has played an integral role in many major investigations throughout the region and continues to be vital to the department�s effort at monitoring snaring and trapping activities in the protected zone for the Newfoundland pine marten."

The criteria for this prestigious award centred around the officers commitment to conservation and protection of wildlife resources including the education of the general public. "Officer Ryan has met all the criteria for this award. In particular, he has played an active role in public information and education with visits to schools, service clubs and community colleges," said Minister Aylward. "When representing the department he has done so with professionalism and a sense of pride. This has enabled him to be very effective in promoting the value of our natural resources."

The organization sponsoring the award is the Shikar-Safari Club International which was founded in 1952 as a group of international hunters. This organization carries out various conservation projects throughout the world. All Canadian provinces and territories along with the 50 states in the U.S.A. participate in this program of Officer of the Year Award.

Media contact: Craig Renouf, (709) 637-2923, fax: (709) 637-2403.

2000 12 14 10:15 a.m.