Photo Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
Justin Barrow had the time of his life this past summer as he worked as an intern with Texas Game Wardens stationed on the upper coast. He did water safety checks, checked for fishing violations and even chased down a couple of bad guys, which is all in a day’s work for a Texas Game Warden.
“Internships provide the opportunity for an individual interested in becoming a Texas Game warden to get a firsthand look at what it’s like,” said Lt. Rachel Kellner, who leads recruiting efforts for TPWD’s Law Enforcement Division. “It’s probably the best recruiting tool we have.”
Barrow was one of six interns funded this year through the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and TPWF. CCA has been funding interns for five years now, and many previous interns have gone on to become Texas Game Wardens. That’s what Justin Barrow is hoping for.
“This internship experience has deepened my resolve to do everything it takes to become a Texas Game Warden,” said Barrow. “I am finishing up my bachelor’s degree, and I look forward to applying for the Texas Game Warden Academy when I am done. It would be a dream come true for me.”
CCA is pleased to partner with TPWF to make the internships possible.
“CCA Texas has had an excellent, long-standing partnership with Texas Game Wardens. They play an absolutely critical role in protecting our Texas wildlife resources for everyone to enjoy,“ said Robby Byers, CCA Texas Executive Director. “Our members are proud to fund these internships each year to encourage young people to pursue a career in fish and wildlife law enforcement.”
