From The Tribune staff reports
PRATTVILLE — A Trussville man was awarded the Hunter Safety Instructor of the Year by the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) on Friday, August 5.
Sam Hansen was presented the Hunter Safety Instructor of the Year Award at the 2022 AWF Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards (GCAA) banquet. In addition, Governor Kay Ivey provided a congratulatory video prepared specifically for the 2022 Award Recipients.
The AWF GCAA is the most respected conservation honors in Alabama. Over the past 50 years, AWF has presented these awards to individuals and organizations that greatly contribute to the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources.
Following a distinguished paramedic and battalion chief career with Vestavia Hills Fire and Rescue, Hansen began volunteering with the Alabama Hunter Safety Education Program in 2018.
He is known as an energetic instructor whose enthusiasm is contagious and inspiring. In fact, he is one of the most active Hunter Safety instructors in the program.
In 4 short years, two of those during the pandemic, Hansen has personally led 16 classes and educated over 200 people in proper hunter safety.
Hansen is a certified Rifle Instructor and Range Safety Officer who truly enjoys helping people develop their hunting and outdoor interests. He volunteered at the first “Learn to Hunt Workshop” in the Adult Mentored Hunt Program, and assists with many other workshops, including small game and bowhunting.
“Sam’s enthusiasm and expertise serve as a shining example of what all of us involved in educating and mentoring should strive to be,” one of Hansen’s peers stated.
AWF’s GCAA was created to promote leadership by example and, in turn, increase conservation of the natural resources in the state of Alabama, including its wildlife, forests, soils, water, and air. The program is designed to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of conservation practices and projects and to give proper recognition to those persons and organizations that make outstanding contributions to the natural resource welfare of their community and state.
The AWF, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization. The mission of the AWF, a 501(c) 3 non-profit group supported by membership dues and donations, is to promote conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for economic and social prosperity.
To learn more about AWF, including membership details, programs, and projects, contact Alabama Wildlife Federation at 334-285-4550 or visit www.alabamawildlife.org.