Many law enforcement agencies practice community-oriented policing philosophies. Now, more than ever, officers are getting involved in their communities, reaching out to youth to promote positive, healthy behaviors and safe places to live and recreate. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers take this part of their job to heart. In May they interacted with more than 5,000 kids across the state, participating in various youth events and activities.
In addition to protecting Florida’s natural resources and people, FWC officers work to ensure that people can enjoy the Florida outdoors for years to come. Part of that includes educating and inspiring youth to care about conservation.
The Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN), coordinated by the FWC and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, is a statewide network of sustainable places where youth and their families can participate in traditional outdoor activities and safely share experiences that inspire lifelong support for fish and wildlife conservation.
The FYCCN’s goal is woven into the expectations of FWC officers as well. Whether attending FYCCN events, hunter safety classes, fishing clinics, wildlife festivals and career days at schools, they are encouraged and expected to participate in youth events when they can. They’ll often bring equipment, like all-terrain-vehicles and airboats, or even their K-9 partners.
The 5,000 children that benefited from interacting with FWC officers last month learned safe ways to enjoy recreating outdoors, how to properly interact with fish and wildlife and about the responsibility that both they and the officers have to protect those resources.
FWC officers fulfill a vital role in the lives of our youth and make a difference in creating the next generation that cares.
For more information about the FYCCN, or to find upcoming summer camps and youth events in your area, visit FYCCN.org.