Conservation officer

A conservation officer is a law enforcement officer who protects wildlife and the environment that it lives in.

A conservation officer may also be called a gamekeeper, game warden, environmental technician/technologist, investigator, park ranger, ranger, wildlife officer, wilderness officer, or wildlife trooper. All of these titles fall under the rubric of National Occupational Classification code 2224.^[1]

Duties

Duties of conservation officers vary depending upon what type of area they live in. For example, whilst rural areas may experience issues dealing with with wildlife and natural resources, large cites will encounter problems with pollution and the dumping of chemical waste (Huss 14). Conservation officers report on the conditions of wildlife and their habitats, recommend changes in hunting and trapping seasons, resolve conflicts between hunters and land management experts and implement control measures such as trapping or relocating animals. They also patrol areas in order to prevent the illegal killing of game, prevent the pollution of waterways and investigate suspected violations (Lawson 332). As well as dealing with the environment, conservation officers are also expected to raise public awareness: “Experienced conservation officers give seminars to educate the public on ecology and the value of natural heritage… and seminar topics include gun safety and the needs of wildlife” (Lawson 342).

History

Conservation Officers can trace their history back to the Middle Ages ( see gamekeeper). Their modern history is linked to that of the conservation movement, and has varied greatly between different regions of the world. The history of conservation officers in New York is a good example of the general progress from gamekeeper to conservation officer.

New York State History

Conservation officers in New York state are known as 'environmental conservation officers' or ECOs. ECOs have been around for more than 125 years although originally they were know as 'game protectors'. The first game protectors were eight men given the authorization of arresting any who violated the wildlife on protected land. Their job was to protect game and catch poachers, although they went beyond this by protecting streams from pollution as well. In 1960 their title changed to 'conservation officers', and in 1970 were given the current title of 'environmental conservation officers' after the Conservation Department and the State Health Department merged to become to Department of Environmental Conservaion. At the same time, their status was changed from peace officer to police officer, allowing them more legal power than they had previously been allowed. (Huss 15).

Education

Conservation officers generally have a degree in something that deals with wildlife resources, recreation management, fish and wildlife management, criminal justice, or a science major related to these. Most start out their career as a trainee under the supervision of an experienced conservation officer. Although dependent on country, after graduation and completion of the trainee program many go to law enforcement school to become a peace officer. In America conservation officers must also take and pass the state civil service exam for Environmental Conservation Officers (Huss 13).