Two new wildlife conservation officers have been assigned to Carbon County.

The 37th class of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Ross Leffler School of Conservation graduated on Jan. 31, adding 24 more officers to the ranks.

Benjamin M. Conklin of Effort and Joseph M. D’Andrea of Congers, New York, have been assigned to Carbon County. Graduation of new game wardens follows 44 weeks of intensive training, including 10 weeks of training in the field.

“Every one of these graduates is embarking on a demanding journey and the beginning of a lifelong commitment to service, conservation and duty,” said Col. Richard Danley, director of the game commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Protection. “Becoming a Pennsylvania game warden is a calling to protect wildlife and to serve the people of Pennsylvania, even when the work is unseen, difficult or dangerous.”

Training school director Kyle Jury praised the graduates for their dedication and demonstrated commitment to our natural resources.

“By pursuing this career path, they fulfill an instrumental part of the agency’s continued and dedicated effort to wildlife conservation,” Jury said. “Having these individuals join the ranks of game wardens will strengthen the agency’s efforts to safeguard the hunting heritage the game commission was founded on so that it can be passed on to future generations.”