KAGAWONG—Like most Islanders, retirement for Kagawong’s Ian Anderson has been just as busy as when he was working as a professional in the field, if not more so. After working for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) for 35 years as a conservation officer, and later in his career as the MNR’s district investigator and intelligence officer, Mr. Anderson describes his volunteer work as simply an extension of what he did his whole career—helping to ensure the conservation of the area’s fish and wildlife.
In 1972, Mr. Anderson came to Manitoulin, eventually working for the MNR full-time in 1973.
As he continued to work for the MNR, he also took specialized courses in fish and wildlife at the Leslie M. Frost Centre in Dorset, later teaching at the training centre.
Despite his busy career, with his investigative and intelligence work taking him all over Northeastern Ontario, Mr. Anderson always made time to be involved locally in Manitoulin organizations with his focus shifting this direction after his retirement from the MNR in 2008.
He belongs to three different fish and game clubs, including the Gore Bay Fish and Game Club, the United Fish and Game Clubs of Manitoulin (of which he is the secretary), and the Cockburn Island Conservation Club.
He is also the co-chair of the Fisheries Management Zone 14 Advisory Council, working with the MNR to provide the ministry with management advice and assisting in developing fisheries management plans.
He is a longtime volunteer with the Friends of Misery Bay and a director on the Manitoulin Trappers Council.
Recently, Mr. Anderson has been in both The Recorder and The Expositor as a spokesperson and chair of the deer save committee of the Gore Bay Fish and Game Club for their efforts to break trails and feed deer in order to help Manitoulin’s deer herds through the harsh winter.
He has also begun volunteering with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, working on a research project on Cockburn Island.
“They are studying the relationship of predators and deer on the Island,” explained Mr. Anderson. “I have been doing some preliminary work collecting DNA and the project will be expanding this summer. It’s something I have a great interest in and am looking forward to.”
“I find it very satisfying to work with other avid hunters and fishermen who are equally passionate about conservation,” explained Mr. Anderson of why he volunteers. “With the ever decreasing resources of the MNR, public interest through volunteer efforts is important and it is great to see so many individuals on Manitoulin stepping up to help get things done.”
When the 61-year-old isn’t busy volunteering, he likes to spend time with his family, including his wife of 13 years Vicki and his sons Erik and Ryan, enjoying the outdoors and their cottage on Cockburn Island.
“I couldn’t do everything I do without the support I receive at home,” concluded Mr. Anderson. “That makes it all possible.”
