Jeff Milloy of Kenora’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry office has been chosen as Ontario’s Conservation Officer of the Year, after being nominated and winning a number of awards.
Milloy started his career with the ministry 27 years ago in 1995, working in a variety of positions. He later became a Conservation Officer in the Chatham area in 2001, before moving back to the Kenora area.
Some of the recent work Milloy has accomplished includes joint investigations between a number of communities in the United States and Ontario to protect moose populations, assisting during an elevated forest fire season in 2021 and being a provincial firearm instructor and coach officer, among much more.
As well as the award from the Ontario Conservation Officers Association, Milloy was also awarded the ministry’s Conservation Officer of the Year award, the Shikar-Safari Club International Ontario Wildlife Officer of the Year award, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Conservation Officer of the Year award, and he’s been nominated for the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association Officer of the Year award.
“Jeff approaches every investigation with an unbiased opinion and thoroughly looks into every aspect of a case before forming his conclusions. Jeff’s tenacity of following every lead and reviewing every piece of information collected, leads him to investigate large cases and provide a high level of protection of Ontario’s natural resources,” said President of the Ontario Conservation Officers Association, Matthew McVittie.
“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. 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. It is an honour and a privilege to recognize Jeff with this award.”
Milloy was nominated for the 2022 Conservation Officer of the Year award by his peers and was selected by a provincial committee comprised of natural resources law enforcement professionals. It recognizes the highest level of dedication and professionalism among their ranks.
Milloy will be presented with his four to five awards this summer by representatives of the Ontario Conservation Officers Association and the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.
Residents are asked to report natural resources violations to conservation officers like Jeff at the MNRF’s tip-line at 1-877-847-7667, or to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
