This award is given in recognition of successful efforts to influence public policy relating to trail planning, trail protection, trail development, or maintenance.
Jimmy Anthony currently serves as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Wildlife for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
In this capacity, Anthony plays a critical role in development of strategies to increase recreation trail capacity throughout LDWF facilities statewide.
Most importantly, Anthony established an agency position specifically to seek out alternate funding opportunities to support development and maintenance of recreational trails above and beyond funding made available through the Recreational Trails Program.
Anthony began his 36-year career with LDWF in 1976 as a Student Worker serving as a radio dispatcher for the Enforcement Division in the Monroe, Louisiana regional office. His career path has led him from a biological aide through seven different job positions have increased his duties and supervisory responsibilities.
In his current capacity, Anthony has oversight of operations of three divisions (Wildlife, Coastal/Non-game, and Environmental) to carry out the mandates of LDWF relative to conservation of wildlife.
His initial RTP involvement began in 2000 when Anthony assumed responsibilities for maintenance programs for LDWF’s 40 Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Anthony identified the opportunity for dramatic increases in funding through RTP for ATV trail maintenance.
Anthony created a position within LDWF’s wildlife division responsible for coordinating RTP projects within the agency. By 2007, this position had produced more than $500,000 in additional trail grant funding for the department.
By 2011, the new position had accumulated more than $1 million in ATV trail grants for LDWF. With the proven success of this effort establishing the value of the RTP as a supplementary funding source for LDWF, in 2011 Anthony elevated the position within the Baton Rouge headquarters providing for greater trail funding opportunities for the entire department.
Supported by Anthony’s leadership of this program, LDWF has produced 29 ATV-trail projects throughout Louisiana, enhancing more than 80 miles of recreational ATV trails on LDWF WMAs.
