Today marks a sad anniversary in the province’s wildlife conservation community.

It was 13 years ago today that long-time wildlife officer Howard Lavers lost his life after his snowmobile went through the ice on the west coast while he was on duty.

Lavers, an experienced snowmobiler who was intimately familiar with the back country, passed away despite the efforts of his colleagues.

Conservation officers lobbied for and eventually got personal protective equipment as part of their regular kit as a result of the tragedy.

Chris Wessel was one of two officers who helped RCMP recover Lavers’ body from the water.  He says it’s something he’ll never forget, and he wants it to serve as a powerful reminder about ice safety.

Wessel says ice and winter weather is unpredictable and nothing can be taken for granted.

“I wish I could share the feeling I still have to this day, when I see or travel over ice, because you would never make that mistake again. You would be vigilant, and you would be checking and being safe.”