Working Together For Conservation
By Sergeant Sheila Paquette, RIDEM Environmental Police
Photo on Left: Officer Murtha helps Lizzie reel in a beautiful rainbow trout at the Aquatic Resource Education training pond.
Photo on Right: Officer Evans talks turtles at the annual USFWS/RIDEM “Cops and Bobbers” event.
RI DEM Divisions Working Together for Conservation
DEM is responsible for managing Rhode Island’s natural resources, including thousands of acres of conservation land that support wildlife habitats and outdoor recreation. The Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) plays a key role in overseeing regulations and providing education to protect these areas.
Last Spring, RI DEM Environmental Police Officers (EPOs) had the opportunity to interface with the public in a different capacity. With a community grant received from the Wood Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council, DLE collaborated with the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s outdoor education programs by attending and assisting at their education events. The events included public talks to scouts as well as a nighttime walk exploring vernal pools. As students attended these sessions, they were able to interact with Division of Law Enforcement Patrol Officers in a way that encouraged cooperative efforts of stewardship. Officers spent time alongside the students and attendees, sampling from the water, discussing habitat, and explaining why it is important for the enforcement of those regulations and laws.
At our core is the Game Warden approach and it is in line with our mission: to protect our natural resources and ensure compliance with all environmental conservation laws through law enforcement and education, while constantly maintaining the health and safety of the public. DLE strives to have a more proactive philosophy on our enforcement and education, by attending local public education events and supporting civic and nonprofit groups. Working alongside DFW biologists and staff contributes to a this cooperative philosophy for habitat protection and natural resource education. We look forward to building on this partnership and achieving even greater success together in the future.
