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Judy Millar – Ecosystems Officer
Variety, Opportunity, Outdoors, Advancement and Dedicated People
I have worked for the provincial government since 1974 evolving from planting trees, conducting regeneration and survival surveys, fire fighting, to supervising planting, broadcast burning and ecological assessments with the Ministry of Forests. I loved the forest management experience that I gained and will also be grateful for the opportunity to work in that ministry. In 1990, I was successful in getting a full time position with the "Ministry of Parks" as a Regional Resource Officer in North Vancouver. I enjoyed working with great people, being challenged every day with a new 'issue' from mountain pine beetles in Manning Park to re-vegetation of high elevation vegetation to mountain goat population decline in Garibaldi. I love working outdoors and have been to some of the most beautiful places in the world by working for BC Parks.
I was transferred to the Okanagan (1995) to work as the District Resource Officer (RO). I could not believe my luck to work in such a beautiful location. Then an opportunity came up for me to take a work exchange to South Australia, I took it gladly. I worked there as a Biodiversity Planner and enjoyed working with Kangaroos, platypus' and the yellow-footed rock wallabies. My two children (aged 14 and 16 at the time) joined me. We came away with many memories and lessons learned.
In 2002, my RO job was transformed into an Ecosystem Officer position with the Ministry of Environment (MOE). I still worked exclusively in parks with most of the time spent working on fuel management, ecosystem restoration, invasive plant management and various other conservation activities. In 2005, I was fortunate to have the distinction of "Ecosystem Officer of the Year Award" thanks to my colleagues and I also began my new designation as a registered professional biologist. I took a temporary assignment with the Mountain Pine Beetle Response Team for MOE. The project management and contract management experience provided focus and directed me toward the job I am involved with today. Currently I am on another temporary assignment in Victoria acting as the Manager of Natural, Recreation and Cultural Heritage (ending August 31, 2007). I have enjoyed working with professional and personable staff, managers and directors, on strategic plans, policies and partnerships. Working for MOE just gets better and better. There are always challenges, if you want them. There is variety if you want it and there are opportunities for change, promotion and movement around the province. I am a happy person today because of my working environment and I have always encouraged my children to educate themselves in whatever field they are passionate about and have fun doing. That has been the success of my career, fun! I am going for my 25 year pin this year and am very proud to say I work for the Ministry of Environment.
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