Nikki Thorn, new Glenns Ferry Conservation Officer

GLENNS FERRY - Living and working in the outdoors has always been part of Nikki Thorn's life, and as the newest Conservation Officer in the Magic Valley Region and the only female officer in the state, she loves her new job. Growing up in Corydon Indiana, Thorn grew up in the outdoors working with her father who managed one of the State Forest recreation areas. After graduating high school, she pursued a degree at the University of Idaho in Resource Recreation and Tourism, with a minor in Wildlife Management. "I grew up loving the outdoors," Thorn said. "I knew I wanted a job working in the outdoors and this ended up being a perfect fit." After graduation from college, Thorn soon put her training to use. One of the first jobs she held was as a seasonal laborer for the Forest Service where she was a backcountry ranger and packer in the Stanley area. She then got her first taste of enforcement after taking a job with the Custer County Sheriffs Office working as a Marine Deputy on Redfish Lake and Salmon River. "I have always loved the resource, the outdoors, and the wildlife that lives there," Thorn said. "Working as a Conservation Officer gives me a chance to do something good for all of them. "I want a job like this that will let me help protect the resource, so my kids and grandkids can enjoy this stuff," she said. "I also like the education aspect and the opportunities we have in teaching people about the outdoors." After being hired by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Thorn worked as a conservation officer in the Nampa area for a year and a half during her training period. Now with her new assignment, she can put those skills to use in her new area. For her, the Glenns Ferry area will be a perfect fit. "I love to hunt, fish, camp, but horse back riding is my love," Thorn said. "I enjoy horse packing, I don't pack anything on my back, I'm allergic to that. "From what I have seen of the area I really think I'm going to like it," she said. "The area offers a wide variety of opportunities." "I'm also excited to get to know the people in the Magic Valley Region. I always figure, if I can change one person's mind about the resource and they treat it better, then I have done my job."