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Kevin Conway, director of the Division of Wildlife Resources, passed away last evening Director of the Division of Wildlife Resources Passes Away After Battle with Cancer Salt Lake City -- Kevin Conway, the director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, passed away Sept. 8 after a courageous battle with cancer. Conway began his career in 1975, when he joined the DWR as a conservation officer. He served in various capacities in the division's Law Enforcement Section for more than 20 years and was promoted to the rank of captain in 1996. In 1997, he was named one of the DWR's assistant directors. During his tenure as assistant director, he began forging partnerships with key government and private organizations, as well as important constituents, to focus more attention on the critical need to conserve and enhance essential habitat for all of Utah's wildlife, including wildlife in danger of being listed as threatened or endangered. Conway became director of the DWR in 2002 and immediately launched the most ambitious habitat project ever attempted in Utah. He announced the creation of the Habitat Initiative, a far-reaching plan aimed at restoring and enhancing more than one million acres of essential sagebrush-steppe and riparian habitat throughout the state. His efforts are paying off in the summer of 2004, as plans are nearing completion for an unprecedented array of range restoration and re-seeding projects throughout Utah this fall. Throughout his career, Conway was also a strong advocate for hunters, anglers and those who enjoy viewing Utah's wildlife. "Kevin will be sorely missed," said Miles Moretti, acting director of the DWR. "He was a great individual who had an incredible passion for Utah's wildlife. The Habitat Initiative he started will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come." Funeral services for Conway will be held Sept. 25 after a viewing the evening before. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to several conservation groups. A list of the groups is available online at wildlife.utah.gov/kevinconway Cris Draper |