The BC government says 20 new conservation officers will be out in the field by this fall.
Environment Minister George Heyman says the COs, sworn in Thursday, will provide more boots on the ground to help stem what he says has been an overdue lack of frontline protection.
The conservation officers will head to a number of northern communities, including what the government says are new spots in Bella Coola, Mackenzie, Chetwynd, Atlin, and Haida Gwaii.
The remaining officers will fill posts in Quesnel, Terrace, Prince George, and Fort St. John.
The province says hiring additional conservation officers will boost staffing levels in communities around the province to 160.
