Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Liard (Oct 12/01) - Right now Gavin More is doing a little bit of everything, but he's getting a clearer picture of what the future holds in store.

Gavin More is the new Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development area manager for the communities of Fort Liard, Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

As area manager for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, More said he is part Renewable Resources officer -- issuing permits and licences -- and part supervisor -- he'll oversee staffing and hiring.

He'll also assist in making economic development successful in a way that's not too detrimental to natural resources. For example, a forest manager has been hired to work for the Acho Dene Koe First Nation in Fort Liard. More will retrieve the information they need to work together, and will offer his expertise as an environmental planner.

That's something he said he envisions himself doing more of when a full complement of staff exists in Fort Liard.

Having come on board Sept. 17, he's been making himself familiar with the paperwork and how the various government agencies inter-relate in the NWT.

"And one of the other big things I'm doing is cleaning up the office," he said, laughing.

He's looking forward to getting office procedures in place so the can spend more time in the communities of Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte. He's interested in hearing their thoughts and concerns regarding natural resources and wildlife, he said.

"I certainly see the people here as being the eyes for some (government agencies)," More said. "They're local, they're on the scene, they can report things."

Promoting tourism is something else More hopes to do.

"It's a gorgeous place ... and the people are very nice," he said.

There are many natural attractions and outdoor activities in the area, he said.

He comes to Fort Liard with a wealth of renewable resources experience. He previously worked as an environmental consultant, an ecosystem management co-ordinator for Parks Canada and has spent many years as a forest manager.

More has a master's degree in zoology as well as a degree in geography.

He has also carried out 18 months of research on pine marten at Heart Lake, near Enterprise.

Although most of his career was spent in Alberta and Saskatchewan, he knows many people who have come to work in the NWT, and he decided to join them.

"The North has always fascinated me," he said.