COLUMBUS, OH - Mike Serio, state wildlife officer for Hamilton County, was recently named Ohio Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Shikar-Safari Club International, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
During his 30-year career as a state wildlife officer, Mike has proven himself as an exemplary officer through his efforts in protecting the wildlife resources of our state and in teaching conservation ethics to countless young hunters and anglers, said Mike Budzik, chief of ODNR's Division of Wildlife.
Budzik further cited Serios awards from conservation organizations such as the Ohio Farm Bureau, Quail Unlimited and the Natural Resources Conservation Service for his efforts in promoting science-based wildlife management.
Serio is also credited with developing a close working relationship with wildlife officers in Kentucky and Indiana resulting in enhanced communications between the state agencies to further protect wildlife resources.
The Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952 by an international group of hunters interested in exchanging ideas about the sport. Each year the club sponsors an award for the Wildlife Officer of the Year in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and the territories of both nations. In 1966, the Shikar-Safari International Foundation was formed to support various wildlife conservation projects with funds raised by club members.
For Further Information Contact:
Tammy York, ODNR Division of Wildlife
937-372-9261
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882