As part of the SEC Softball Tournament held last week at Auburn University, eight female conservation enforcement officers (CEOs) from the Alabama Department of Conservation were honored during the tournament, which also included a shopping tour provided by Academy Sports + Outdoors in Auburn.

Cody Reed, the academy's regional marketing specialist for Alabama, East Tennessee and Georgia, said honoring the CEO was a natural progression for the academy.

“The Alabama Department of Conservation has been a great partner for many years, and this recognition gave us an opportunity to recognize eight female police officers who serve across the state,” Reed said. “We are also partners with the Southeastern Conference, and Auburn hosts the SEC Softball Tournament. Each officer was given four tickets to a tournament game. Through ADCNR's partnership with Outdoor Alabama, we were able to provide a really great experience to recognize these officers. This is another way to amplify and showcase the work these incredible women do.”

“The work the DEC does on the water and on land is our primary focus at Academy Sports + Outdoors. Fishing, hunting, visiting state parks, hiking, camping – anything outdoors, we have it in our store. But we also want everyone to enjoy the outdoors safely. June is Water Safety Month, and we're donating an additional $1,000 to the DEC to purchase life jackets so game wardens can distribute them to those in need. Our goal is to stay connected to the community and make the outdoors fun and safe for everyone.”

ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship was on hand as officials from the agency’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF), Marine Resources (MRD) and State Lands divisions met at the Auburn store to receive the awards and tickets to the SEC softball tournament.

“I'm grateful to the Academy for recognizing our female conservation officers,” said Director Blankenship. “It's a fun job, but it's hard work. You're alone in your car, on your boat or in the woods much of the time. It's a dangerous job, but these women do a great job being the face of the Department to hunters and anglers across the state. For most people, their only impression of the Department is their interactions with conservation officers in the field. For most people in our state, that's the only part of the Department they see.”

“The positive attitude these women demonstrate and the great work they do to protect our resources is a great thing for our state. We are thrilled that the Academy recognized them and gave them this opportunity for promotion. We hope they take this award home to their communities and continue to do great work for us.”

Commissioner Blankenship said he has a unique perspective on the issues CEOs face every day.

“I spent the first 15 years of my career doing this,” he said. “I know how difficult this job is. I also know how rewarding this job is. At the same time, I had a wife at home, taking care of the house. Some of these women work day and night on their schedules, and they run their households. They have a lot more challenges to deal with than I do. I'm very grateful that they chose this profession.”

“They all do a great job, and we hope to use this as a recruiting tool to bring more people into our enforcement team. Law enforcement is in a tough spot right now. Fewer and fewer people across the country are choosing law enforcement as a career. We need quality people like these eight women to continue the great work they do protecting our resources.”

The female CEOs being honored are Monique Ard (Mobile County), Logan Black (Fayette County), Jessica Spears (Mobile County), Deborah Dixon (Etowah County), Breanna Neighbors (St. Clair County), Sidon Bolden (Jefferson County), Katie Burks (Bibb County) and Bray Buckner (Hale County).

When the Academy pitched the idea to Billy Pope, ADCNR's director of marketing and communications, Pope had to get approval for the promotion.

“We have had a longstanding relationship with Academy Sports + Outdoors,” Pope said, “They have been a great partner and friend to our department and have supported many of our initiatives over the years. When they reached out to us about wanting to recognize our female conservation enforcement officers, it was a no-brainer. We just had to get approval from the Alabama State Ethics Commission and the attorneys, and once that happened, we were able to put this together for our recipients.”

As a sponsor of the SEC Softball Tournament, the Academy wanted to honor a group of female first responders and public service workers during the softball games. The eight CEOs were honored during one game during the six-day tournament.

“Our female officers are so excited to have the opportunity and the chance to be recognized on the field at the SEC Tournament,” Pope said. “This is a wonderful testament to the role models our officers are setting for the next generation of officers and conservationists. Their courage, expertise and passion for the outdoors is so inspiring.”

CEO Ard has worked for ADCNR for 15 years and currently works for MRD in Mobile County.

“It's fun talking to people on the water,” Ard says. “Most people are just having fun and learning what they can and can't do. For the most part, it's just an education. When they see women, most of the time they're surprised. They say, 'Wow, I didn't know there were female officers,' especially the little girls. I tell them they can be officers too. The women are really happy to meet you.”

“I was really surprised to be recognized. It's great to recognize women. I thought it was really wonderful.”

CEO Spears has been with WFF for two years and has long wanted to become an executive.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be a game warden because when I was growing up, there were a lot of people hunting without a permit, breaking into camps, cutting locks,” Spears said, “and when I grew up, I wanted to help people so they didn't have to deal with those kinds of problems.”

“This (Academy) event was amazing and completely unexpected.”

CEO Buckner began her career with ADCNR as a WFF biologist and then transferred to State Lands where she was required to receive law enforcement training. She has been with ADCNR for five years.

“State land officers are foresters and wildlife biologists and also law enforcement officers,” Buckner said. “I think it's great that the Academy is interested in and recognizes what we do.”

CEO Dixon has been with WFF for over 17 years, making her the longest serving female executive. She loves the outdoors, whether it be in the woods or on the water.

“I have to say it's the best job in the state,” Dixon said. “The officers I work with are great. It's outdoors, I get to ride ATVs. We have nice vehicles. I get to patrol from a boat. It's a really great job. I love it.”

“I'm so grateful for the Academy because it allows me to go out and be rewarded for doing the job I love.”