Guinn appoints Terry Crawforth new director for NDOW

Friday, Nov. 7, 2003 | 10:07 a.m.

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn has announced the appointment of Terry Crawforth as Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

"Terry Crawforth brings 34 years of experience to the position, five of which were as Administrator of the Nevada Division of Wildlife," Gov. Guinn said.

"During that time he has demonstrated a sincere commitment to both wildlife conservation and the public who enjoys wildlife and outdoor recreation."

The appointment of a director became necessary with the adoption of Assembly Bill 41, which changed the status of the wildlife agency from a division to a department.

As a division, the agency was under the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. With the change, the Department of Wildlife becomes a cabinet level agency.

Crawforth's annual salary as agency director is $107,433.

As the agency's administrator, Crawforth emphasized planning efforts that benefit both wildlife and the public. Customer service and acquisition of prime wildlife habitats have also held a high priority. Under his direction, a new Wildlife Diversity Program was developed to support non-game and species at risk in the state. In the future, Crawforth said he will continue to use planning efforts to provide agency guidelines for direction and operations. This includes a revision of the agency's strategic plan, which is already under way.

Crawforth, 57, was born in Ely and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management. His wildlife career started at the Verdi Fish Hatchery near Reno. During his career he worked at Spring Creek Rearing Station near Baker, and in law enforcement as a game warden at Pyramid Lake and in Gardnerville. He also served as supervising game warden, law enforcement bureau chief and as deputy director of NDOW.

"During much of my career, I have served in jobs that gave me the opportunity to learn the public side of wildlife administration, as well as the biological and law enforcement aspects of wildlife management," Crawforth said. "It's a role I've come to enjoy, and I feel that I'm contributing to the future of wildlife in this state."