Conservation officer candidates begin training on the 125th anniversary

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Conservation officer candidates begin training on the 125th anniversary of the game warden service
(Released April 2, 2012)

It seems only appropriate that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 13th Conservation Officer Academy got underway March 28 at Camp Ripley on the 125th anniversary of the game warden service in Minnesota.
Known today as conservation officers, they trace their history back to March 28, 1887, when W.F. Zwickey was appointed as Minnesota’s first game warden. His mission was to cover the entire state enforcing game and fish laws. There was no salary, no expense money and no personnel to assist him.

For this academy, nine candidates were selected from among 800 applicants. Calling it a very important and challenging job, DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr told the candidates that conservation officers are highly regarded by the public.

“Hunters generally have very high opinions of conservation officers because they understand the importance of your job to protect and preserve natural resources for today and for future generations,” Landwehr said. “You are the face of the department.”

This is the first Conservation Officer Academy since 2008, and the 13th class since academy training began at Camp Ripley in 1994. Currently, 29 positions are vacant in the Enforcement Division, including 20 of the DNR’s 155 conservation officer field stations. A field station covers 650 square miles.

The Conservation Officer Academy curriculum includes 12 weeks training in fish and wildlife laws, rules of evidence, patrol procedures, search and rescue, and fish and wildlife investigation. Upon graduation, the new conservation officers will spend 16 weeks in field training with a veteran conservation officer before being assigned their first station.

The DNR’s Enforcement Division director, Col. Jim Konrad, said that despite the long hours and family sacrifices, career conservation officers call it the best job in the world.

“Talk to any of our current or retired officers and they’ll tell you how rewarding a career protecting and preserving our natural resources and serving the people of Minnesota can be,” Konrad said.

Konrad emphasized to the candidates the importance of diplomacy, helpfulness, courtesy and consideration while on the job. Those practices were echoed by Landwehr. “Commissioners will come and commissioners will go, but conservation officers will continue to be the face of the DNR,” he said.

Another academy with approximately 18-20 candidates is scheduled to begin in August.