A Kenora-based “natural leader” often sought by colleagues from across the province for advice has been named the 2022 Conservation Officer of the Year.
Jeff Milloy, part of the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry (NDMNRF) Kenora Enforcement Unit, was announced as the award recipient by the Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) on Tuesday, April 12.
Ministry career started in 1995
Milloy became a conservation officer in Chatham in 2001 and worked in Pembroke before coming Kenora. He started his career in the ministry in 1995, holding positions including resource planner, wildlife technician, fisheries technician, fire ranger, resource technician, biologist, and port observer.
His recent work includes completing joint investigations with several US states to protect Ontario’s moose population and acting as an operations section chief to help with public safety during last year’s devastating forest fire season in northwestern Ontario.
Duties provide satisfaction
A provincial firearms instructor, coach officer, and mentor, Milloy is an exceptional leader and well-respected professional, the association stated.
“Jeff approaches every investigation with an unbiased opinion and thoroughly looks into every aspect of a case before forming his conclusions,” OCOA President Matthew McVittie stated in a press release.
“Jeff is a natural leader who assists other officers with investigations and is often called upon by officers throughout the province to provide his perspective of their case. He is not the type of person who requires public recognition or acknowledgement of the work he does, Jeff takes pride in the work that he does as a Conservation Officer and finds personal satisfaction in completing his duties with his best effort.”
COs nominate peers
Officers are nominated for the award by their peers and chosen by a committee made up of officers, representatives of the association, and ministry managers.
Milloy was also awarded the NMNRF Conservation Officer of the Year Award and will get the Shikar-Safari Club International Ontario Wildlife Officer of the Year Award and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Conservation Officer of the Year Award. He was also nominated for the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association Officer of the Year Award.
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