FWC officer gets environmental award

The Florida Wildlife Federation has named Steven E. Thomas as its Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer of the Year. Officer Thomas, who has been a conservation-related law enforcement officer since 1992, works in Franklin County. He focuses on cases involving commercialization of wildlife and fish, boating fatalities, undercover operations and long-term investigations. Thomas received the honor at the 72nd annual Wildlife Federation conservation awards banquet and benefit in St. Augustine on June 20th. FWC Commissioners Brian Yablonski of Tallahassee and Dick Corbett of Tampa were also honored with Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Awards. The federation cited the two commissioners roles in leading efforts to place Amendment 4 on the 2008 ballot and helping to ensure its passage by Floridians last November. Amendment 4 provides property tax incentives for land and wildlife conservation.