Conservation Enforcement Executive Graduates from Unique Leadership Course

Indiana Conservation Officer Lt. Colonel Steve Hunter graduated on September 18, 2015 from the National Conservation Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (NCLELA) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

The goal of NCLELA is to prepare new conservation law enforcement executives to effectively carry out their job responsibilities adaptively in a rapidly changing world.  The focus is to provide the practical skills and knowledge needed by those in executive-level conservation law enforcement leadership roles in state or federal agencies.

“It was a pleasure to represent Indiana at this academy to learn innovative leadership and futuristic approaches to conservation”, stated Lt. Colonel Steve Hunter, Indiana DNR Law Enforcement.  “Applying these principles within our agency will improve the management of Indiana’s natural resources, the enforcement of the laws that protect them and reach the expectations of our citizens.”

36 executives representing state and federal natural resource enforcement agencies were chosen to attend this academy from a national applicant pool of 60.  NCLELA is designed to focus executive attention on changing social philosophical resource use priorities, keeping the conservation mission relevant in today’s political environment, and expanding the knowledge and appreciation for the profession with a wider citizen base.

“Continuing to invest in the leadership of the DNR Law Enforcement Division will remain a top priority for this agency”, stated Director Danny L. East, Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division.  “Conservation police and enforcement agencies across our nation face unique challenges within their profession.  It was an honor to have one of our top executives attend and return with this knowledge.”