The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) awarded long-time hunter safety instructor Mr. Darwin Roosa of Albany County with DEC’s Wayne W. Jones Award of Excellence. The award recognizes Mr. Roosa’s outstanding contribution as a volunteer instructor with DEC’s Hunter Safety Program.

“Darwin has dedicated his professional and personal life to teaching people about the natural world and fostering a conservation ethic,” DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Jacqueline Lendrum said. “Not only has he taught safety and ethics to hundreds of new hunters, but there is also a generation of hunter education instructors that got their start in one of Darwin's courses or were positively influenced by having the chance to work with him. DEC is thrilled to announce Darwin as the recipient of the Wayne W. Jones Award of Excellence.”

All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must pass one or more courses before receiving a hunting license in New York State. Trained instructors certified by DEC teach safe and responsible outdoors practices while stressing the important role of hunters and trappers in conservation. Volunteer instructors provide invaluable support to New York State’s Hunter Education Program (HEP).

Raised in Northville, Fulton County, Mr. Roosa was always passionate about outdoor activities. As an accomplished shooting sports athlete, he won multiple medals in the biathlon at the Empire State Games and continues to be involved in the sport into his 70s.

Mr. Roosa is lead instructor for courses taught at Helderberg Rod and Gun Club and certified hundreds of new hunters during several decades in this role. Mr. Roosa made recruiting and retaining instructors a primary focus of his involvement in the HEP. He recruits a diverse group of instructors in each in-person course, ensuring that students receive outstanding training in safety, ethics, and conservation, and experience the diversity of values and perspectives of mentors in the hunting community. In addition, Mr. Roosa strives to bring in apprentices or newly certified instructors to each course to help them develop the skills and experience necessary for the program to evolve.

Mr. Roosa is involved in public and environmental education in both his professional and personal life. He enjoyed many summers as a DEC environmental camp counselor and taught earth science and biology in New York State schools before holding several environmental education positions with DEC. He went on to work in communications and training at the New York State Office of Employee Relations and continued involvement with education and training in his retirement through the HEP, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, and other ventures.  

Thanks in large part to the to the more than 60 years of dedicated efforts of 2,500 volunteer Sportsman Education Instructors, hunting incidents are at record lows, and additional Hunting Safety Statistics are available on DEC’s website.

This distinguished award is named for Wayne Jones, the Hunter Education Program Administrator for New York from 1992 to 2008. Wayne was instrumental to the program and during his tenure achieved many significant accomplishments for the HEP, not the least of which was his work on the international level to develop online educational tools and national standards for course contents.

The award recognizes active Volunteer Instructors who demonstrate and contribute to the advancement of the Hunter Education Programs by enhancing students’ understanding and enjoyment of our wildlife resources; creating awareness of responsibilities and instilling respect towards habitat, wildlife, non-hunters, hunters, and themselves; and by enhancing public understanding and acceptance of hunting and trapping as important recreation and wildlife management practices.

Instructors are nominated by their peers based on a set of criteria including:

1. achieving substantial improvements or innovations to program operations or classroom activities;
2. collaborating with other groups across traditional program boundaries to expand the audience of the Hunter Education Program;
3. working above and beyond required job descriptions, exceeding expectations, and achieving noteworthy results in an accelerated or impressive timeline; and
4. applying or developing innovative techniques or approaches that demonstrate best practices and/or serve as a model to inspire others to outstanding achievement. 

Visit DEC’s website for more information about the Hunter Education Program.