OFAH Pays Tribute to Conservation Officer of the Year

OFAH FILE: 842
March 17, 2014

OFAH Pays Tribute to Conservation Officer of the Year

Each year, the Ontario Conservation Officers Association honours one of their own. Given the major impact that conservation officers have on the lives of outdoors enthusiasts, and the important work they do protecting Ontario’s valuable natural resources, the OFAH Board of Directors has also created an annual award to pay tribute to that same conservation officer.

The award was presented for the first time to Conservation Officer of the Year, Dan VanExan, at the 86th OFAH Annual General Meeting and Fish & Wildlife Conference held in Mississauga March 13 to 15.

“Conservation officers are specialists whose job it is to preserve and protect the province’s natural resources. They perform a number of duties, often far from home and under less than ideal circumstances,” said OFAH Executive Director Angelo Lombardo. “In recognition of their efforts, and in light of the close working relationship that the OFAH enjoys with conservation officers across Ontario, the Board of Directors decided it was time to formally honour the work that they do on behalf of us all.”

Dan VanExan began his career with the Ministry of Natural Resources nearly 35 years ago, and was appointed as a conservation officer in 1983. Dan has a proven track record as a leader to both new and senior conservation officers, who regularly seek his advice. An accomplished investigator, Dan has demonstrated a commitment to the job and to the public he serves. In 2009, Dan was awarded the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service and will receive his 30-year bar in 2014. A previous president of the Ontario Conservation Officers Association, Dan has also been recognized by several other organizations, including the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies with their Officer of the Year Award.

For a complete list of conservation award winners, visit www.ofah.org/conference/awards.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 720 member clubs, the OFAH is the province’s largest nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization, and the VOICE of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

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