State conservation officer Mike Borkovich has been named to an elite group identified as the best in the nation at protecting natural resources.
CONSERVATION OFFICER Mike Borkovich poses with Sean Lammy after the boy shot an 11-point buck in 2006.
Borkovich has been selected as recipient of the Guy Bradley Award, which is given annually by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. He will receive a plaque at the National Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference held March 25 at the Milwaukee (Wis.) Hilton hotel from the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, among other wildlife officials.

The Leelanau County resident, whose past awards include “Conservation Officer of the Year” for Michigan through a program administered by Safari Club International, said he is humbled to receive national recognition.

“I’m floored by this. I knew what the award was, but I didn’t know I was even nominated,” he said.

The award is given in the spirit of Guy Bradley, the first wildlife law enforcement agent in America killed while performing his duties. Bradley was shot in 1905 while pursuing poachers of wading birds in the Everglades that were being relentlessly slaughtered by hunters. The birds were popular for their colorful plumes, which were used to decorate fashionable hats of the day.

Borkovich was given high praise by Larry Johnson, chief park ranger at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Johnson nominated Borkovich, who has become well known locally as an advocate for fishing and hunting sports since being stationed in Leelanau County 12 years ago.

“A master communicator and natural goodwill ambassador for the DNR, Mike has made a positive difference in the area. In 2002, he helped initiate quality deer management after noticing a decline in the quality of the whitetail deer taken during hunting seasons,” Johnson wrote.

Johnson also spoke of Borkovich’s work ethic, which is often praised by fellow officers.

“Known by his colleagues as “36/24” for squeezing 36 hours of results out of each 24-hour day, Mike works with an intensity and dedication that inspires those he meet, including the inevitable poachers ... he simply leads, and I think that is what sets Mike apart from other excellent Conservation Officers,” Johnson wrote.

It’s believed Borkovich is the first officer from Michigan to receive the Guy Bradley award. Separate awards are given out each year to a recipient representing state government, and a representative of the federal government. The last three winners of the state award are a CO with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a forensic scientist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and a CO with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

By coincidence, Borkovich knows Steven Middleton, an officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stationed in Charlotte, Tenn. Middleton, winner of the federal award, teamed with Borkovich to nab a whitetail poaching ring while Borkovich was stationed near Bay City.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a non-profit corporation authorized by Congress in 1984 to work with the private sector for the preservation and promotion of natural resources.

Krystyna Wilniakowski, who administers the Guy Bradley Award for the foundation, said Borkovich serves as an example of the type of person the award was meant to honor.

“He seems to reflect the tireless dedication that Guy Bradley was known for,” said Wilniakowski.
The award comes with a $1,000 check, which Borkovich plans to donate to the Northwest Michigan Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association.

“Wow,” said Borkovich. “What an honor that I can represent all the officers in this state. We have so many great conservation officers, and any one of them would have been deserving.”