June 1, 2010
Vanderhoof Welcomes Additional Conservation Officer

VANDERHOOF – As an indication of Nechako Lakes region’s increasing popularity as a destination for mining exploration, tourism, and outdoor recreation, the British Columbia Ministry of the Environment has appointed a new full-time additional member of the Conservation Office Service to be based out of Vanderhoof.

“Vanderhoof’s conservation office has seen a steady increase in demands for many years due largely to economic development activities in the region,” says Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. “Paramount is public safety and responsible interaction with our outdoors. The additional officer will help greatly in patrolling how we, and our visitors, interact with our surrounding wilderness.” 

Vanderhoof was chosen as a location to receive additional conservation staffing resources due to heavier workloads related to increased mining exploration in the area, destination hunting and angling attracting more visitors, and to assist local outdoor recreation guide operators. Response to the increase in staffing has been well received by First Nations and local Mayors of communities that are served by Vanderhoof’s conservation office.

“Vanderhoof has vast areas to patrol, often requiring overnight or multi-day patrols,” adds Rustad. “An extra officer allows for improved patrols and response times to public calls in some of the more remote areas.”

The new Conservation Officer is Micah Kneller, who started working full-time in Vanderhoof in March of this year. He had been a seasonal Conservation Officer in Vanderhoof previously from May 2008 to November 2008. He also worked in similar postings in Chetwynd and Nelson. He received his training as a student Conservation Officer with the BC Conservation Corp in his hometown of Kamloops. Kneller also studied at Lethbridge College where he completed an Applied Bachelor of Science in Conservation Enforcement while spending his student summer breaks working for Manitoba Conservation in Rennie (2006) and Thompson (2007) where he did park patrols.

When choosing his profession, Kneller indicated that he loves the environment and the outdoors, finds the work to be interesting with new challenges constantly evolving day-to-day. Kneller specifically opted to seek a permanent posting in Vanderhoof because he prefers smaller communities where he says it is easier to get to know people and there is a wider array of conservation skills required.

Visit John’s website at www.johnrustadmla.bc.ca 

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