With little fanfare and a few jokes, Brian Nesvik said his goodbyes at the end of the most recent public Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meeting. There were no tears, but rather a celebration and a little friendly ribbing by commissioners.

In his prepared parting remarks, Nesvik proudly listed some of the accomplishments of the “red shirts” during his reign, ending with a standing ovation for the man who gave the department nearly three decades, culminating with five years guiding the department through some big changes and setting a path for the future.

One of his largest challenges has been securing the heritage of outdoor sports in Wyoming. By pressing for opportunities for children, Nesvik helped give the next generation solid footing and prepared for challenges.

“I think that one of the most important things we do is provide opportunities for kids to have that experience that we all had at some point that got us hooked,” he said during his final public statement as director. “I am extremely proud because I really believe that that's where you have an impact 30 years down the road. We’ve gotta have people that care in 30 years.”

From the free Kids Fishing Day in spring, to the Medicine Lodge Kids Outdoor Days in August and Project Wild during the school year (just to name a few), the department has worked to encourage both children and their parents to fall in love with the great outdoors, whether through hunting and fishing or conservation efforts during Nesvik’s direction.

He’s also appreciative of the department’s response to aquatic invasive species (AIS), responding to threats just across the border in neighboring states.

“Keeping quagga and zebra mussels out of our state didn't happen by accident,” he said. “If we had done nothing, we would have that cancer in the waters of our state.”

Department officials created new check stations, made educating the public about the issue a priority and developed a rapid response team in the event invasive mussels are found in Wyoming waterways.

The department’s Aquatic Invasive Species rapid response plans outline the efforts Game and Fish will take to stop the spread of AIS and information on changes boaters will experience in locations where AIS are detected. Changes could be hard to swallow for some, the department warns, but the damages invasive species can cause are immense.

He also highlighted the work done on building highway crossings to help keep wildlife and people safer of state highways.

“This commission and past commissions have made that a high priority, and now you look at what we've done on the ground, and it's absolutely incredible,” he said. “There's no other state that's done what we've done in the last few years on crossings.”

He mentioned other programs the department has made during his tenure, including major property acquisitions and continuing to build savings to ensure the department can meet challenges and emergencies — as well as financing major building projects like the new Cody Region headquarters — despite no longer receiving funding from the state.

Nesvik has also had challenges that were highly scrutinized by the public, like the department’s initial lack of transparency and actions in a Sublette County wildlife abuse case involving “wolf whacking” with snowmobiles and the torture of a mortally wounded wolf by Daniel resident Cody Roberts.

“The actions and behaviors of the individual involved in this case are not reflective of Wyoming’s values for wildlife,” Nesvik said after news of the incident went viral. “This incident casts a shadow over our state’s proven track record in successfully and responsibly managing our gray wolf population.”

But through it all, Nesvik said his favorite part of the job was working with hunters, anglers and the general public.

“I will tell you that through my time working in the department, there's a lot of cool stuff I did out on the ground, but one of the things I enjoyed the most was interacting with the people of our state; hunters, fishermen and outfitters, landowners, little old ladies that were relying on me to come solve their biggest problem of the day, like ‘come get the bat out of my house.’ You know, those kind of interactions seem pretty mundane and routine, but those are some of the things that I will really think back on, as far as what's really important to our state. We have to have those folks to support what we do or we don't do it anymore,” he said.

Nesvik served the department in several positions prior to being appointed to director, including as a game warden, regional wildlife supervisor and chief game warden. He also served with the Wyoming Army National Guard for more than 35 years before retiring as a brigadier general. He served two tours overseas in Iraq and Kuwait.

When Angi Bruce took over the reins as director she became the first woman to lead the department. She thanked Nesvik on Tuesday, after her first month on the job.

“My first 30 days have been incredible. I am thankful for the overwhelming sense of support from department staff and the public,” she said. “There is no shortage of challenges. Today, we are faced with devastating wildfires, and the department staff have stepped in to assist the communities and give notice to hunters. Pulling together to address the urgent needs today and planning for recovery and habitat restoration tomorrow is critical. We stand ready to assist where needed. Director Nesvik's work has prepared us for these challenges and we will continue that success.”

District 5 Commissioner Ashlee Lundvall, who serves Park, Big Horn, Hot Springs and Washakie counties, told Nesvik she was “thankful” for Nesvik’s leadership.

“When I first joined the commission … it was like drinking out of a water hose; it's just so much information,” she said. “It was such a wonderful experience to be able to know not only can we go to you for anything, but that your leadership was trickling down through all the different employees and all the different programs.”

Former Commission President Ralph Brokaw, who was also appointed in 2019, congratulated Nesvik for his service.

“As a leader, as a director, as a life commitment to this agency, you did a fantastic job. I'm most proud of the team you put together. Good work is going to continue,” he said.

District 7’s John Masterson took the opportunity to get in a friendly shot.

“Before I got on the commission, I knew you in passing, but certainly by reputation. Since being on the commission, I should have just stuck with the reputation,” he said to laughs.

Then he turned serious.

“Think about the impact that one person can have when they're in the right place at the right time. It’s a thing to behold, and I stand in utter amazement at your skills,” he said. “Your dedication to making the state a better place and taking care of the most precious resource we have is inspiring. And you've left that inspirational legacy, and you can be proud of that.”