Outstanding Manitoba Conservation Officer

The Manitoba Chapter of The Wildlife Society (MCTWS) is seeking nominations for the Outstanding Manitoba Conservation Officer award. The award can also go to a unit of Conservation Officers. This award recognizes the achievements of a Conservation Officer or Unit in wildlife conservation/law enforcement for their dedication to protecting and conserving wildlife and natural resources in our province. The applicant(s) is evaluated by the Executive in consultation with the Manitoba Conservation Officer Association (MCOA) on their professional achievements, wildlife related extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation, provided by fellow Conservation Officers or other wildlife professionals. Any professional may nominate a Conservation Officer or Unit. Information on the nominees  professional and extra-curricular activities are required as a part of the submission materials, which may necessitate involvement of the nominee(s) in the process. 

One individual or Unit will be selected per year. The award consists of an engraved plate on a plaque which is housed for one year at a central location recommended by the MCOA.  The plate includes the recipient’s name, year awarded and home office location. A framed certificate remains with the recipient(s), as well as a wildlife-related gift that the MCTWS will select. The awardee will be recognized at the 2022 MCTWS Annual General Meeting, listed permanently on the MCTWS website as well as profiled on the Chapter social media and in the newsletter.

Eligibility

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Manitoba Resident

  • Conservation Officer

Submissions

Nominators must submit the following materials in electronic (PDF or .docx) form for evaluation:

  • The nominee’s name, title and contact information.

  • A nomination statement that contains the information required to support the candidates’ nomination and include the details of the candidates history to be verified by the review committee including the nominee’s:

    • Professional achievements

    • Extracurricular wildlife-related activities, volunteer work, participation and service in wildlife-related organizations

    • Any applicable self-directed activities

  • Two letters of recommendations from individuals familiar with the nominee’s wildlife activities.

  • The nominators email address, mailing address and telephone number.

  • All submitted materials will be kept completely confidential to the members of the Executive reviewing the applications.  

  • Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.

All materials must be submitted to: tws.manitoba.chapter@gmail.com
Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.

DEADLINE: March 4, 2024

Please contact tws.manitoba.chapter@gmail.com if you have any questions

2021 Award Recipients

This award recognizes the achievements of Conservation Officers for their dedication to protecting wildlife and natural resources in our province. In November of 2021, the Province of Manitoba announced its first positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease. In response to this detection, the province initiated a number of measures aimed at containing and reducing the spread. The most notable measure being the highly controversial cull. To assist with implementing the cull, this dedicated team of Conservation Officers were brought in to provide safety and security for Wildlife Branch staff, Contract Staff and the Public. In addition to providing site security, the above team of CO’s were tasked with retrieving and salvaging the culled deer. The team of CO’s endured harsh public, social media and mainstream media criticism, despite this they maintained the highest degree of integrity and professionalism and continued their duties for the duration of their CWD deployment. They played a vital role in ensuring the success of the cull; that all members of the CWD team – wildlife staff, contracted staff and seconded staff members from other branches were able to meet their objectives safely. Ensuring the deer culled were retrieved so that they may be salvaged and doing their best to resolve conflict the public. The Wildlife Society commends Conservation Officers for the hard work that they do, without their vigilance and protection other wildlife professionals could not do their work.

Branden Haywood - Snow Lake

David Benkoe - Ashern

Ian Van Nest - Churchill

Trevor Wynat - Riverton

Warren Toderan - Riverton

Jeffrey Caraulia - Lac du Bonnet

Kurt Henry - Winnipeg

Kevin Doerksen - Selkirk

Tristan Pilcher - Cranberry Portage

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