Conservation Officer Service

Chief's Desk

Welcome to the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service website. In July 1905, British Columbia hired the first “Game and Forest Warden” who started the department that was to become the Conservation Officer Service of today. Nearly 100 years later, our department has grown and matured into an organization that is responsible for enforcing more than 20 provincial and federal statues that relate to protecting the environment and the fish and wildlife resources of our province. The Service is also the primary responder to incidents of wildlife/human conflict where public safety is at risk.

Our dedicated and committed workforce is stationed in 44 communities throughout British Columbia so that we can provide the best service possible to the citizens of the province. Our motto, Integrity, Service & Protection, sums up in simple terms how our organization assists the Ministry of Environment in meeting its vision of “a clean, healthy and naturally diverse environment that enriches people's lives, now and in the future ”.

I invite you to scroll through our webpages and learn more about the Conservation Officer Service, our Report All Poachers and Polluters program and the management of wildlife/human conflicts.

Mark A. Hayden
Chief Conservation Officer