AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Legislature and the Maine chapter of The Wildlife Society honored Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife senior policy analyst Sandra Ritchie for her outstanding career in wildlife habitat and conservation planning.
Ritchie, of Smithfield, was welcomed on Tuesday in the House of Representatives and the Senate as a Legislative Sentiment was read to show appreciation for her for nearly 30 years of wildlife management efforts, including playing a major role in the development of Maine’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. This plan is nationally recognized as one of the best comprehensive state wildlife plans.
Recently, Ritchie has been coordinating and developing Maine’s Game Plan for Deer, a cooperative effort between the Department and stakeholders to rebuild the state’s white-tailed deer population in northern, eastern and western Maine.
Rep. Jane Eberle, Rep. Paul Davis, Sen. Thomas Martin, Sen. David Trahan and Sen. John Patrick each complimented Ritchie on her significant contributions to Maine’s wildlife resources by addressing members in their respective legislative chambers.
They also congratulated Ritchie for her receipt of the 2011 Award of Meritorious Service presented last month by the Maine chapter of The Wildlife Society. The award is given to chapter members who have made outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation and the wildlife profession, and have demonstrated a commitment to the resource and the wildlife profession that exceeds normal expectations.
“Throughout her career, Sandy has demonstrated an ability to facilitate understanding and to work cooperatively to forge realistic solutions to conservation problems,” according to a letter accompanying the service award. “Dealing with such critical issues often means the road gets bumpy — but Sandy is known for her open and calm demeanor at such times. Her thoughtful approach, especially her willingness to listen and find workable solutions, together with her varied experiences, ahs earned trust and respect from many quarters, and ultimately results in the success of many of her efforts.”
Ritchie graduated from the University of Maine in 1980, and began her career with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as a wildlife technician in the Wildlife Resources Assessment Section in Bangor. In 1984, she became assistant regional biologist in Sidney, and then regional biologist from 1993 to 1998. From 1998 to 2003, she served as a wildlife resource planner in the department’s Augusta headquarters, where she researched and developed policy positions. Currently she is a senior policy analyst focusing on habitat conservation, supervising the Beginning with Habitat Program as well as the Maine Wildlife Grants Program.