 |
| Conservation Officers checking a hunter. |
The following testimonials have been written by Conservation Officers who wanted to share their love of the job and some of their experiences in becoming a Conservation Officer to help guide others who would like to pursue a career in natural resources law enforcement.
Conservation Officer Jeff Zohr
 |
| Me at Clarke Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park. |
Being a CO is the best job anyone could ask for. I am working at a job I have always wanted to do and not only that, but the people I work with are great.
Hello my name is Jeff Zohr, I live in Eganville, a small town in Eastern Ontario in the heart of the Ottawa Valley. I have been a Conservation Officer (CO) since September of 2008 in the Pembroke District and my patrol area is Algonquin Provincial Park (approximately 765,345 hectares of wilderness).
I first decided I wanted to be a CO when I was twelve years old. My Dad, who I loved to go fishing and hunting with, always told me to respect the resources so we could come back another day. So having an appreciation and respect for our natural resources was just part of my childhood. It didn’t take me long to realize that one of the best ways to help protect our natural resources for people to enjoy in the future was to become a CO.
I graduated from Sir Sandford Fleming College with a Fish and Wildlife Technician Diploma in 1992. From 2003 to 2008, I was a Deputy CO with the Pembroke District where I got a taste of a CO’s life and instantly got hooked. As a Deputy CO I had the privilege of working along side Conservation Officers in the field where I gained a lot of invaluable ‘hands-on’ experience you just can’t get in a classroom.
 |
| Left to Right: MNR Pilot Andrew Finch, CO Derek Hebner, Myself. |
Aircraft patrol at Smoke Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park March 2009 with fellow CO from Pembroke in centre and pilot on left.
Everyday is a new challenge, you never know what you are going to run into or come across. As a CO you must be very adaptable to work in all kinds of weather conditions and situations – you have to be prepared for whatever might be waiting for you out there. You always have to carry extra clothes with you to stay warm and dry, you just never know what the day will bring. In the winter when it’s minus 20 with a wind chill and snowing it is a real challenge to write a ticket or take notes and keep it legible.
Training is a necessary part of being an enforcement officer, Conservation Officers receive on-going training to ensure we are up to date on recent changes in the legislation we enforce, officer safety and investigative techniques and technology.
While working with the MNR I have also had the opportunity to work as a Fire Ranger in Montana and Washington states, and in the province of Alberta from 2000 to 2003.
The most satisfying aspect of my job is knowing that I am doing my part in protecting our natural resources for the people now and in the future.
 |
When I’m not on the job, I enjoy spending time with my family in the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing and I am always running our kids around to play sports and visit friends.
