Squamish and Whistler are among seven communities in BC who will have additional conservation officers working this season.
Six new seasonal officers are being added to the Conservation Service, along with two seasonal First Nations officers for Westbank and Haida Gwaii.
Besides Squamish and Whistler, the officers will work until Oct. 15, 2019, in the communities of Invermere, Kamloops, Cranbrook, Smithers, and Vernon.
“It’s important to have that extra resource for our officers and it’s really good training for those looking for full-time work,” said Greg Kondas, acting deputy chief, noting two seasonal officers were hired last year.
“These are young, inspirational students who have just come out of college, so we want to give them that guidance and put them in an area where they are going to receive that from experienced officers. We get to assess them and they get to assess us.”
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has 164 full-time officers located in 45 communities throughout the province.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service’s seasonal program was started in 2005.
The program puts additional conservation officers on the ground when necessary and typically placed in locations where they can be mentored or where there is a need for an additional officer.
They assist with high-priority issues, such as threatened species, protection of mountain caribou and public safety legislation.
The officers are also involved with public outreach, education and building relationships with First Nations.
