WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The National Wild Turkey Federation has announced that Douglas County Conservation Agent Mark Henry was selected as the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation Wildlife Officer of the year for the state of Missouri.
“It’s a pleasure to see Mark receive this award,” said Larry Neal, the NWTF’s Regional Director for southern Missouri. “We look forward to future work and events with Mark as he has shown his support both in the field and alongside other NWTF volunteers at the JAKES events held in Douglas County and the surrounding area.”
Neal said the NWTF is proud to recognize outstanding Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers and proud of their partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The NWTF works for the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of hunting traditions. According to Neal, the NWTF is a “pro-gun, pro-hunt, not for profit, conservation organization.”
According to Henry’s supervisor, MDC Protection Regional Supervisor Gary Cravens, Henry continually strives to improve the professionalism of wildlife law enforcement and is well deserving of this recognition.
“Agent Henry has done a tremendous job in developing and maintaining a well rounded conservation agent program,” Cravens said. “He continues to maintain an all-around outstanding wildlife law enforcement and public relations program.”
Cravens said the agent consistently shows initiative and keen investigative skills as he discovers wildlife violations.
“He devotes his attention to documenting and prosecuting serious wildlife violations with a strong emphasis on wild turkey enforcement,” Cravens said. He added that Henry continues to develop and implement new and innovative ways to help curtail illegal wildlife activities. According to Cravens, Henry’s professionalism and commitment to the resource is a shining example for all MDC employees.
Henry recently represented the state of Missouri at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 35th National convention in Nashville, TN, where he received the award. His home town is Fordland, Mo., and he’s a graduate of the College of the Ozarks where he earned a degree in Animal Science. Henry went to work for the MDC in 2002, working in the department’s Wildlife and Forestry Divisions prior to being accepted into the training class to become a Conservation Agent in 2005.
