Chief Conservation Officer Mark Hayden presented Kamloops residents Colton Reeb and Marc Patterson with Bravery Awards on behalf of Environment Minister Barry Penner at a ceremony at the B.C. Wildlife Park on October 16. The awards were handed out in recognition of the courage displayed by both Marc and Colton during a serious cougar attack near Clinton on August 1, 2007. While camping at the Patterson’s family cottage, 12-year-old Colton was attacked by an adult male cougar. Marc was alerted to the situation by his 12-year-old daughter Larah and found Colton with the large cat latched on his head and neck. He managed to choke the cougar and pull it off Colton. Marc then drove Colton to the Clinton RCMP detachment, where he was transferred to Ashcroft and then medivaced to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for treatment. Minister Penner recommended Colton Reeb for the Bravery Award; however, he was unable to attend the ceremony because of obligations at the legislature. The award for Marc Patterson was requested by the Conservation Officer Service in recognition of his courageous behaviour that day.
June 2007
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Conservation Officer Service
The Pacific Rim Bear Smart Committee, in conjunction with the Conservation Officer Service (COS) and other local and federal partners, won a Bronze Premier’s Award for Innovation and Excellence for their work to reduce bear/human conflicts in Ucluelet and Tofino. The group, along with CO Ben York were honoured at a ceremony on February 25th in Victoria. The COS was also recognized by the Premier’s Award selection committee for its work on the Hinton Inter-Provincial Natural Resource Law Enforcement Training Academy. The COS would like to thank all staff who submitted Premier Awards submissions. These efforts are key to further raising the profile of the Service to stakeholders and government partners alike. 
Mackenzie Conservation Officer Tracy Walbauer and Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program fish biologist Arne Langston helped arrange and participated in the Mackenzie Family Fishing Day on February 23rd and 24th. The event attracted 220 participants from the community and provided activities, prizes, demonstrations and instruction on ice fishing. Local businesses and the Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation donated prizes, including an ATV. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC loaned fishing rods and reels, and provided "Learn to Fish" instructional booklets to provide fishing opportunities to new anglers. 
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British Columbia ’s Conservation Officer Service (COS) joined the Family Fishing Society of BC and other partner organizations for the Province of British Columbia’s Family Fishing Weekend, June 15-17, 2007. The three-day event allowed all Canadians to fish without a basic freshwater license in most BC lakes and streams. Community fishing events were held in 40 communities, where new and beginner anglers were able to learn the “How To’s” of fishing, conservation ethics, and water safety in a fun and safe environment.
June 2007
COS Partners with B.C. Conservation Corps
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The Conservation Officer Service is partnering with the B.C. Conservation Corps to promote the Ministry's Report All Poachers and Polluters Program (RAPP). Available 24/7, the RAPP hotline allows the public to report known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws – anonymously and without risk of confronting the offender. The RAPP hotline should also be used to report wildlife-human conflicts where public safety may be at risk.
Staffed by members of the B.C. Conservation Corps, the RAPP Van will be attending various community-based events throughout B.C. over the summer and fall. This project is part of a larger educational initiative to raise awareness about the RAPP program, which provides British Columbians a safe and effective means to combat poaching and polluting.
April 2007
Conservation Officers and the Community In Action
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Port Hardy
Along with officials from the Ministry of Forests, the Regional District of Mount Waddington and the District of Port Hardy, Conservation Officers Greg Kruger and Todd Hunter got their hands dirty on April 24 th as part of community efforts to cleanup illegally dumped garbage from the area’s backroads. 90 volunteers, 25 pickup trucks, 2 flatbed trucks, 2 dump trucks and a backhoe were put to work, removing over 50 tons of trash from public lands. A local garbage hauling company provided the collection bins and the Regional District of Mt. Waddington accepted the garbage free of charge at the nearby landfill.
On Sunday, April 25th, the Pt. Hardy field office received a public report of illegally dumped garbage in one of the areas just cleaned. Due to this accurate and timely report, it is likely that the Conservation Officer Service will be able to pursue charges against the suspected offenders.
Chilliwack
Due to its natural beauty, high recreational value and proximity to several large, urban centres, the Chilliwack/Vedder River is one of the most heavily used rivers in British Columbia. As a result, it is also the victim of considerable illegal dumping.
On April 21st, Conservation Officers Paul McFadden and Don Stahl from the Chilliwack field office contributed their labour, two patrol vehicles and an ATV to assist the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Coalition (CVCC) with one of its regular cleanup days. The CVCC is a non-profit society comprised of dedicated people who regularly use the Chilliwack/Vedder River for recreational purposes.
Squamish
As part of the District of Squamish’s “Pitch In Week”, Conservation Officers Chris Doyle and Dave Jevons spent the greater part of April 28 th cleaning up an illegal dump site on the Mamquam Forest Service Road. Pitch In Canada established Pitch In Week in 1967, during Canada’s centenary. Each year since, youth groups, conservation clubs, schools, church groups, volunteer organizations and municipal governments take part in roadside and property clean-ups, recycling drives, habitat improvement and other clean-up events across the nation.
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