Randy Lusetti named National Wildlife Officer of the Year

Randy Lusetti, a game warden for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), has been named the National Wildlife Officer of the Year by the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association.

The annual award was given to the Reno based game warden in a ceremony held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Canada during the organization's annual conference July 20. The award is given every year the nation's top game warden, and Lusetti is the first Nevada game warden to receive the top honor.

"Nevadans can take pride that we have wildlife officers like Randy Lusetti at work in our state," said Governor Brian Sandoval. "The task of protecting wildlife through the careful and fair enforcement of our laws is an important part of a mission that also includes the promotion of hunting and fishing safety."

Lusetti patrols vast areas of Northern Washoe County. He has made significant cases for the department and spends many of his nights, weekends and holidays watching out for Nevada's wildlife. Lusetti stressed when accepting the award that he is part of a committed team, a sentiment echoed by NDOW leadership.

"We have always known that Nevada game wardens are some of the best in the nation," said Ken Mayer, Director of NDOW. "This award is both an honor and a validation of the commitment of all of our officers."

The North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association is an 8,000 member organization of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement officers from across North America.

Margie Klein wins third place in Nevada Magazine Writer’s Contest

Wildlife Education Coordinator Margie Klein has won third place in Nevada Magazines first inaugural Nevada Magazine Writer’s Contest. While she enjoys teaching both children and adults about Nevada’s wildlife, its habitat and the role conservation in the future of wildlife, Margie also enjoys a more subtle approach and finds that in the written word. She is a published author and her work was recently complimented by a third place finish in the inaugural Nevada Magazine Writer’s Contest. 

“On the northeastern side of the Spring Mountains a tiny window into Nevada’s past lies concealed. The place is called Cold Creek, and it offers a glint of unique beauty in the desert, very near but seemingly a million miles away from Las Vegas. If you’re looking to get it tune with nature and the Old West, this is the place,” Margie wrote in her contest submission entitled “A Glint in the Desert.”

She is always looking for opportunities to hone her writing skills and is a regular contributor to the Southern Region’s public affairs efforts. Articles Margie writes about a variety of species from song birds to raptors and reptiles are a valuable contribution to the agency’s regional outreach efforts.  Margie’s complete article can be found online at http://www.nevadamagazine.com/issues/read/a_glint_in_the_desert/.

Aaron Meier wins Association for Conservation Information Award

In July of 2010 the Association for Conservation Information awarded NDOW's Aaron Meier third place in its regulations publications competition for his work on the 2009 Nevada Fishing Seasons and Regulations.

The Association for Conservation Information is a non-profit association of information and education professionals representing state, federal and Canadian agencies and private conservation organizations. Each year it holds its national competition with categories that include regulations publications, magazines, television programs, radio programs, photography and more.

"This award is a real honor, for Aaron and for everyone who contributed to the Fishing Regulations. From the articles to the cover art to the photos, everything is done in-house," said Kelly Clark, Conservation Education Division Chief.

Meier is NDOW's public information officer – publications coordinator in the Conservation Education Division and is based out of headquarters. In 2009 the Association for Conservation also awarded him second place for his 2008 Free Fishing Day poster.

NDOW biologist receives multiple awards

Larry Neel, a staff biologist who has worked 27 years for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), has been honored with two awards at the Spring Wings Bird Festival in Fallon, Nevada.

Ron Anglin, Spring Wings festival chair, acknowledged Neel with the award from the festival planning committee in recognition of Neel’s roles as “festival co-founder, expert tour guide, and tireless advocate for Lahontan Valley wetlands.”

In addition, Willie Molini, board chairman of the Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO), and former director of NDOW, presented Neel with a GBBO Founder’s Award in appreciation of Neel’s efforts as co-founder, secretary, contributor and mentor to GBBO, and his tireless work on behalf of bird conservation in Nevada and the western United States...Read more.

State Wildlife Department Recognized for Hispanic Outreach Efforts

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) was recognized in July of 2007 for its efforts to take the fishing message to Nevada’s growing Hispanic population and encouraging its members to participate in this traditional outdoor sport. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) presented NDOW with the Take Me FishingTM Outreach and Education Award during the annual conference of the Association for Conservation Information held in Lenox, Mass. in July.

“This is the type of award that everyone at NDOW can be proud of, and we are very honored. The campaign has helped us gain a better understanding of all of our customers, and to learn new and better ways to encourage fishing in Nevada, “said Kelly Clark, NDOW conservation education chief...Read More.