Wyoming Game and Fish Department Green River Wildlife Supervisor Steve DeCecco is retiring after 36 years, and like most folks in his situation, he's experiencing a lot of mixed emotions.
"I can honestly say that upholding the department's mission statement Conserving Wildlife and Serving People has always been our focus," DeCecco said. "For decades, I have visited with retiring and or retired Game and Fish employees and they all said their career highlights were the people they got to meet and work with and the many wildlife experiences. Those are the things I, too, will really miss."
DeCecco grew up in Pennsylvania where he developed a love for the outdoors and was always "collecting and raising critters".
"I was very much into being a Boy Scout and fishing, so it was an easy transition to study natural science at the community college near my home," DeCecco said. "I transferred to the University of Wyoming in 1977 and completed my bachelor's of science in wildlife management in 1980. I fell in love with Wyoming and the western lifestyle and took my first Game and Fish job at the Sybille Wildlife Research Center as a laborer in 1979."
After graduating from the University of Wyoming, DeCecco began his career with the Game and Fish in September of 1980 as a temporary biologist aid working in the department's Biological Services. There he maintained the wildlife observation system, big game distribution maps and provided other support.
In March of 1982 he became a warden trainee in Lander and Alcova, with most of his time spent on watercraft enforcement. In September of 1982, DeCecco was appointed Cheyenne District Game Warden and completed the mandatory Peace Officer Training at Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy in 1983.
"I really enjoyed my stint as the Cheyenne District Game Warden," DeCecco said. "The district was always so busy and diverse that I was able to experience some awesome wildlife work. I was fortunate to work with the swift fox live capture and reintroduction from Laramie to Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, sharp-tailed grouse research, urban wildlife control, working on Warren Air Force Base with the pronghorn antelope captures, numerous wildlife immobilizations and some very interesting law enforcement investigations. I even had a live radio call-in show that was a lot of fun. It truly was a pleasure building relationships with landowners and the various public constituents."
Those relationships persist nearly 20 years later, with Cheyenne personnel often being asked by Laramie County residents "how's that Steve DeCecco doing these days?"
DeCecco married Peggy Temte in 1983 and they have three children, Cara, Dena, and Daniel, and one grandchild, Darcy Ann.
DeCecco promoted and transferred to Green River in 1997 and began his career as the Green River Wildlife Supervisor. "My focus has always been promoting professionalism and service to our constituents in southwest Wyoming," DeCecco said. "Southwest Wyoming is such a diverse region of desert, prairie, and mountains. I have really enjoyed my 19 years here; the challenges of interacting with federal land agencies and private landowners and striving to maintain a commitment to effective and responsive wildlife management, law enforcement and public service. I have seen many new game wardens begin their careers under me and a great deal of employee turnover, but I am very proud of the equality of employees we have always had."
"Steve's service to the agency is reflective of a tremendous passion for wildlife combined with a true recognition of the importance of the public's role in protecting and managing it," said Game and Fish Chief Game Warden Brian Nesvik. "Steve led by example with his field presence. He always made it a priority to spend the busiest parts of hunting seasons in the field with his employees and sportsmen. He made team work an extremely high priority. He set a very positive example by always being there for his neighbors and exemplified the Golden Rule.
Steve will certainly be missed by both the public and the Game and fish team.
He proudly served our agency for over three decades and did it with the passion and steadfast focus on professionalism that our constituents expect."
"You know, after 36 years there has been a lot of change, like equipment, technology, duties, issues and the level of public discourse, polarization, and a move towards species focus of sportsmen," DeCecco said. "There were no cell phones or computers when I began my career! And then, there are many things that never changed for me; my core principles, Game and Fish heritage and history, my personal drive and commitment and the challenges I faced. Wyoming ... it's been a great ride," DeCecco said. "I am looking forward to new experiences and spending more time with family and friends in retirement," DeCecco said. "We will continue to enjoy Wyoming and catching up on some hunting and fishing."
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