TWRA Welcomes 13 New Wildlife Officers

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is welcoming 13 wildlife officers, one of its largest classes in recent years. The officers will now begin their duties as they have been assigned to various locations across the state.

 

The group completed a thorough training program to become TWRA wildlife officers. The officers were recognized recently in a ceremony at the Nashville TWRA Office for completion of the TWRA training.

 

The new TWRA officers and their primary assigned area are: Michael Cavins (North Cumberland WMA), Travis Cowan (Clay County), Brandon Lee (Hardeman County), Joe McSpadden (Perry County), Daniel Plunkett (Lauderdale County), Scott Reasor (Houston County), Brandon Taylor (Lewis County), Chase Taylor (Dyer County), Rusty Thompson (Wayne County), Mark Vance (Haywood County), Nathan Warden (Madison County), Todd Weaver (Hickman County), and Cassie Whaley (Henderson County).

 

As wildlife officers, their duties will include enforcing and educating the public of hunting and fishing regulations, boating regulations, conducting hunter education programs and public education in the outdoors, and habitat management.

 

Officer Mark Vance, a Gordonsville resident who is being assigned to Haywood County, was recognized as the winner of the George Gregory Award. The honor recognizes the officer who is the most outstanding in the class and overcomes the most obstacles. The award is named in honor of the former wildlife officers who died in 2005 following a short battle with cancer.

 

In addition to the TWRA training, all of the officers will complete additional training at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy early next year.

 

TWRA is an organization of more than 600 professionals dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and enhancement of Tennessee’s fish and wildlife.

---TWRA---

 

(photo above)