Idaho Department of Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer Lee Garwood, stationed in the Wood River Valley, was named wildlife enforcement officer of the year by the Shikar-Safari International Club.
Garwood, a Hailey resident, has been a conservation officer in Idaho for nearly 20 years and frequently deals with urban wildlife issues throughout the valley, including big game animals in subdivisions, black bears in campgrounds and moose among homes on the Big Wood River.
"Lee's relentless loyalty to his community and the natural resources in the area bring great credit upon himself, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the state of Idaho," Fish and Game Enforcement Chief Jon Heggen said in a press release Monday.
Heggen had nominated Garwood for the award from the Illinois-based club, which was founded in 1952 with the mission of increasing knowledge about wildlife throughout the world, both independently and in cooperation with zoological societies, universities and museums.
The award is given annually by the worldwide conservation organization to one wildlife law enforcement officer in each state.
Heggen also praised Garwood for his approach to the presence of wolves in the Wood River Valley last year, which became a charged political issue, especially after wolves from the Phantom Hill pack were spotted near residential areas as they hunted elk.
Garwood sought to prevent problems by removing elk carcasses, hazing wolves and educating residents and tourists about the situation.
"His actions demonstrated both his leadership and ingenuity in dealing with situations new to the area and to the Department of Fish and Game," Heggen said in his nomination letter to the club.
Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com
