Windknot
04-05-07, 04:07 PM
LOCAL MAN NAMED RANGER OF THE YEAR
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Scott Bardenwerper, Resource Manager III at Smithgall Woods Dukes Creek Conservation Area, was named Ranger of the Year at the annual Rangers’ Conference held at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/ /><st1:PlaceName w:st=Unicoi</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State Park</st1:PlaceType></ST1:pl, March 6 – 8.
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“It is quite an honor to be recognized from among the representatives of 63 state parks and historic sites,” said General Manager John Erbele. “For many years Scott has been an example of the best traits that exemplify what being a ranger in <ST1:p<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Georgia</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">State Parks</st1:PlaceName></ST1:pl is all about.”
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Bardenwerper has law enforcement duties as well as natural resource management responsibilities at Smithgall Woods, Hardman Farm, and Buck Shoals. He has been a firearms instructor since 1999, taught Jr. Rangers, firearms safety, assisted the Wildlife Resource Division with air rifle and skeet shooting, helped with Outdoor Adventure Day at Unicoi State park, taught basic handgun class to new rangers in the Academy and taught in-service training and handgun qualifying to Department of Natural Resource rangers.
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Certified as a Wilderness First Responder, the Blairsville native has taught First Aid and Survival kit preparation for school children and served as an ATV instructor for a number of years. Scott has been an active member of DNR’s search and rescue team for 8 years. He was certified in 2005 on the prescribed burn team, earned an Advanced Sawyer certification from the U.S. Forest Service and has served as a Hunter Safety Instructor since 1985. Bardenwerper is USDA Herbicide and Pesticide Applicator Certified, is a member of the North Georgia Technical College Advisory Board (Wildlife Tech Dept.) and the White County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He has a Masters degree in Public Administration from the Command College of Columbus State University and served as part of the security at the G-8 Conference at Sea Island, in 2003.
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Bardenwerper has been with DNR for 18 years. In addition, he was <st1:City w:st="on"><ST1:place Cleveland</ST1:p</st1:City>’s Chief of Police from 1996 to 1998. He and his wife Laura attend <ST1:p<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Baptist</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></ST1:p in Robertstown with sons, Mark, Mitch and Brett, where he teaches Sunday School. “Scott has a great common sense approach to law enforcement,” added Erbele. ‘He is a true credit to the agency.”
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NGTO adds its congratulations to Scott. Those of us who fish Dukes Creek have most likely met him. :cheers:
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Scott Bardenwerper, Resource Manager III at Smithgall Woods Dukes Creek Conservation Area, was named Ranger of the Year at the annual Rangers’ Conference held at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/ /><st1:PlaceName w:st=Unicoi</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State Park</st1:PlaceType></ST1:pl, March 6 – 8.
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“It is quite an honor to be recognized from among the representatives of 63 state parks and historic sites,” said General Manager John Erbele. “For many years Scott has been an example of the best traits that exemplify what being a ranger in <ST1:p<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Georgia</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">State Parks</st1:PlaceName></ST1:pl is all about.”
<O:p
Bardenwerper has law enforcement duties as well as natural resource management responsibilities at Smithgall Woods, Hardman Farm, and Buck Shoals. He has been a firearms instructor since 1999, taught Jr. Rangers, firearms safety, assisted the Wildlife Resource Division with air rifle and skeet shooting, helped with Outdoor Adventure Day at Unicoi State park, taught basic handgun class to new rangers in the Academy and taught in-service training and handgun qualifying to Department of Natural Resource rangers.
<O:p
Certified as a Wilderness First Responder, the Blairsville native has taught First Aid and Survival kit preparation for school children and served as an ATV instructor for a number of years. Scott has been an active member of DNR’s search and rescue team for 8 years. He was certified in 2005 on the prescribed burn team, earned an Advanced Sawyer certification from the U.S. Forest Service and has served as a Hunter Safety Instructor since 1985. Bardenwerper is USDA Herbicide and Pesticide Applicator Certified, is a member of the North Georgia Technical College Advisory Board (Wildlife Tech Dept.) and the White County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He has a Masters degree in Public Administration from the Command College of Columbus State University and served as part of the security at the G-8 Conference at Sea Island, in 2003.
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Bardenwerper has been with DNR for 18 years. In addition, he was <st1:City w:st="on"><ST1:place Cleveland</ST1:p</st1:City>’s Chief of Police from 1996 to 1998. He and his wife Laura attend <ST1:p<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Baptist</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></ST1:p in Robertstown with sons, Mark, Mitch and Brett, where he teaches Sunday School. “Scott has a great common sense approach to law enforcement,” added Erbele. ‘He is a true credit to the agency.”
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NGTO adds its congratulations to Scott. Those of us who fish Dukes Creek have most likely met him. :cheers: