Ohio’s outdoor spaces are set to receive extra attention from newly commissioned protectors. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has added ten more Natural Resources Officers (NROs) to their ranks, ready to take point on protecting and patrolling the state’s lakes, forests, and parks. A ceremony in Columbus yesterday marked their induction. “These new officers are ready to serve the people of Ohio in a truly unique way,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz commented during the commissioning at ODNR Headquarters, according to an ODNR press release.
After undergoing rigorous training that began in January with the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy, new NROs are not only enforcers of the law but also educators, steeped in conservation and boating safety. The completion of a specialized four-week ODNR operations course equipped them with skills necessary for ATV and vessel operation, advanced communications, firearms, and self-defense. While taking their Oath of Office, they were reminded by ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft Chief Glen Cobb, “They will spend their careers keeping visitors safe, protecting our natural resources, and being a trusted presence in Ohio’s outdoors,” according to ODNR. Cobb shared the high expectations placed on these officers in their future engagements with the community.
The roles of NROs in Ohio cover a diverse range of duties, inclusive of search and rescue operations, emergency assistance during natural disasters, and active flood response. Essential as they are to the state’s resilience measures, NROs also serve as custodians for the environment, ensuring that families and visitors can relish the natural settings safely. “These officers are guardians of both people and places,” as per ODNR, said Cobb with a nod towards the dual role they play in safeguarding human and natural interests…