Ohio natural resources officer Leah Nairn named Ranger of the Year

Sandusky, Ohio — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft announced that natural resources officer Leah Nairn has been named the inaugural Ranger of the Year by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA). The honor was presented during OPRA’s annual awards of excellence banquet on Feb. 3 in Sandusky.

Officer Nairn serves as a natural resources officer with ODNR and is widely recognized for her professionalism, leadership, and compassion. Since graduating from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting Ohio’s natural resources while building trust and meaningful relationships within the communities she serves, according to a press statement from ODNR.

“Officer Nairn represents the very best of ODNR,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Her commitment to public safety, compassion for the people she serves, and dedication to building trust in our communities reflect the values we strive to uphold across Ohio’s state parks and natural resources.”

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Early in her ODNR career, officer Nairn was assigned to Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve, an area that previously lacked a consistent on-site officer presence.

She worked diligently to build trust through professionalism, consistency, and approachability, which helped reestablish a culture of safety, stewardship, and respect for public lands.

Officer Nairn’s impact extends well beyond traditional enforcement. Drawing on her experience as a former probation officer in Licking County, she founded Redemption Through the Lens, a self-initiated project that uses photography and personal storytelling to share the experiences of individuals recovering from substance use disorders. The project fosters understanding, challenges stigma, and builds bridges between law enforcement and marginalized communities.

In addition to this work, officer Nairn regularly volunteers at a homeless outreach center in Newark, often in uniform, offering food, supplies, and support.

Within Ohio State Parks, she also serves as the only forest fire investigator in her unit, mentors fellow officers, supports recruitment efforts, and teaches off-road ATV and UTV driving skills during Ohio State Parks’ annual Women’s Outdoor Adventure Weekend.

Her dedication was recently recognized during the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft winter meeting, where a short film highlighting Redemption Through the Lens was shared, moving many in attendance.

In addition to officer Nairn’s Ranger of the Year honor, the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft was recognized by OPRA with two awards of excellence, further highlighting the division’s commitment to education, accessibility, and inclusion across Ohio’s 76 state parks.

The division earned second place in the Environmental & Interpretive (Programs & Events) category for My First Hike, an original children’s book designed to introduce young readers to trail safety, conservation, and Ohio’s state parks while promoting positive interactions with law enforcement.

Co-authored by ODNR Assistant Director Mindy Bankey and Natural Resources Lieutenant Ryan Swigert, the book follows a family visiting a state park and meeting a friendly natural resources officer who shares safety and stewardship tips along the way. Aimed at children ages 5–7, the book is now used by officers during classroom and community visits to foster early outdoor appreciation and break down barriers between officers and the communities they serve.

The division also received third place in the Capital Improvement ($500,000 to $3 million) category for the Strouds Run State Park Inclusive Playground and Accessibility Enhancements project. Completed in partnership with the Ohio State Parks Foundation and community stakeholders, the project added an inclusive playground, ADA-compliant beach access path, accessible kayak launch, and modernized accessible restrooms. The project ensures visitors of all abilities can enjoy the park.

Together, these recognitions reflect the dedication of ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft staff, officers, and partners who work every day to protect natural resources, serve the public, and create welcoming outdoor spaces across Ohio, according to ODNR.