‘Model Federal Wildlife Officer’ Terrance Butler Honored

National Military Fish and Wildlife Association Recognizes Officer at New Jersey Base

An Open Spaces Blog

Apr 14, 2022

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African American man stands in front of plane with "U.S. AIR FORCE" on side — Federal Wildlife Officer Terrance Butler standing at the Washington State Historic Flight Foundation Museum before receiving the award. Photo by Gregg Burgess/USFWS

Federal Wildlife Officer Terrance Butler has a lot to be proud of. As a dedicated member of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-U.S. Air Force Conservation Law Enforcement Partnership Program, Butler has successfully dealt with many challenging crises as part of his everyday work.

Butler is stationed at New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The 787th Civil Engineering Squadron Natural Resources Manager, Mike Luna, nominated him for the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association’s "Natural Resources Conservation Management - Enforcement" Award, which Butler received at recognition ceremony in March 2022. The award honors his steadfast dedication to conservation and education, and his hard work protecting natural resources and the public.

The association’s focus is on “protecting and enhancing the military mission through sustainable resource conservation.” Wildlife crime is a serious offense and federal wildlife officers like Butler are on the front lines defending the wellbeing of America’s wildlife and habitats.

An Agent of Change

2 African American men stand in front of plane; one holds award — Patrol Captain Bruce Butler and Federal Wildlife Officer Terrance Butler stand together at the museum. Photo by Kat Swearingen/USFWS

Butler’s efforts have produced tangible impacts at the base. He has helped increase compliance with hunting and fishing regulations, decrease trespassing incidents and increase revenue generated from the hunting and fishing program.

He also assisted in identifying the cause of nearby bald eagle fatalities. The birds were being electrocuted, and he helped work with the utility company to mitigate the problem and prevent further damage to this sensitive species. This is just one of many examples of how he’s helped protect America’s wildlife.

Butler has been pivotal in assisting Joint Base Civil Engineering to temporarily suspend hunting in areas adjacent to Afghan villages on base. This approach has helped ensure the safety and security of the base’s approximately 14,000 Afghan refugees on the base.

An Officer and a Gentleman

According to his nominator, Butler “conducts himself with integrity and is collaborative, kind, and helpful when working with both the public and colleagues.”

It’s important for federal wildlife officers to have positive relationships with the community to foster respect for nature and mutual understanding of laws and regulations.

Butler engages in a variety of community outreach events, too. One example is Winterstrong™, where he educates people on the work that he does and how to recreate responsibly outdoors. He stresses the importance of showing the public that federal wildlife officers are, as he says, “humans underneath the uniform.”

Some High Praise and a Well-deserved Honor

The association’s prestigious "Natural Resources Conservation Management - Enforcement" Award recognizes the exemplary work of game wardens, conservation officers, police officers, range regulation enforcers, wildlife services personnel, lawyers, and judges who contribute to natural resource conservation on military lands.

Butler’s colleague confirms it’s a recognition well deserved. According to National Wildlife Refuge System Chief of Law Enforcement, Richard A. Johnston, “Officer Butler has been a leading example of the success of the Partnership and an outstanding model of a federal wildlife officer.”

Learn more about USFWS careers in refuge law enforcement.

Report wildlife crime to 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477) or FWS_TIPS@FWS.GOV. Learn more about speaking up for wildlife.