Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Region 3 has awarded Scott Shelby the Region 3 wildlife technician of the year. Region 3 has 16 technicians scattered throughout seven of its wildlife management areas and refuges in the region. Mr. Shelby has worked for the agency for over ten years on Yuchi Refuge located in Rhea County. Mr. Shelby’s duties vary on the refuge from planting, controlled burns, working with the public and equipment maintenance, to name a few. However, the two guiding roles of any technician are biological data collection and habitat development.
Wildlife Management Area Manager Greg Atchley said, “One of the most impressive qualities of Shelby’s work for TWRA is his ability to understand the overall mission of TWRA at Yuchi Refuge, formulate a working plan to accomplish our management objectives using equipment we currently have on the area, stay within manpower and budget constraints and offer ideas to improve current processes.”
Mr. Shelby currently holds a Class A CDL and is responsible for moving heavy equipment around to different management units. He has completed the U.S. Forest Service Wildfire School and holds a red card allowing him to burn on any federal properties. His depth knowledge with equipment, seed cultivars, fertilization rates and farming techniques insures that the WMA produces the maximum amount of food for migrating waterfowl in the most efficient, cost effective manner possible. Mr. Shelby’s knowledge coupled with his eye for detail regarding equipment maintenance and an unequalled work ethic makes him an irreplaceable asset for TWRA. Mr. Shelby is the epitome of professionalism in his approach to his job as a wildlife technician on Yuchi Refuge.
For more information on the TWRA mission statement visit: tnwildlfie.org.