Protecting A Future for North Carolina’s Wildlife: An Interview with Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Cameron Ingram

Each year, NCWF recognizes conservation champions across North Carolina for their dedication to protecting, conserving, and restoring the state’s wildlife and habitats. The Wildlife Conservationist of the Year award is reserved for individuals whose outstanding efforts have made a lasting impact—and few embody that commitment as strongly as Cameron Ingram, Wildlife Conservationist of the Year recipient for NCWF’s upcoming 60th Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards.

Cameron Ingram’s career, spanning over 30 years with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, culminated in his retirement as executive director, where he made significant strides in wildlife conservation and management. Ingram led key initiatives, including acquiring 30,000 acres of conserved land, developing a law enforcement training facility, and launching innovative programs for aquatic species protection. His leadership was instrumental in enhancing legislative relationships, securing funding for new wildlife officers, and advancing efforts to remove dams that impede fish and wildlife connectivity. Additionally, he oversaw the implementation of the WRC Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan, working towards the long-term resilience for wildlife in the state.

We spoke with Cameron to learn about his dedication to conservation, the challenges facing North Carolina’s wildlife, and the path forward for those passionate about protecting it.

You can reserve your seat for NCWF’s 60th Governor’s Conservationist Achievement Awards ceremony on May 3rd at Embassy Suites in Cary, NC. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in the celebration of conservation heroes across the state. Reserve your seat.

Cameron Ingram, NCWF Wildlife Conservationist of the Year

Q: What is your favorite native wildlife species and why?
Cameron Ingram: My favorite would have to be the white-tailed deer. It’s the main game species economic driver in North Carolina and a favorite among sportsmen and sportswomen. I’ve been passionate about hunting whitetails for most of my life and have shared that experience with my daughters, family, friends, and coworkers. If I had to pick just one species, it would definitely be the white-tailed deer.

I started hunting in my early teens with my grandmother. I’ve shared many of those stories in Wildlife in North Carolina publications throughout my tenure as director. She was a lifelong hunter, living in Ellerbe near Sandhills Gamelands. She hunted deer, rabbits, and quail with dogs and was an avid quail hunter. That’s where it all started for me.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate the time spent sharing my passion with others—watching them learn, succeed, and develop the same appreciation for wildlife that I did. Everyone has a mentor, and I’ve had many throughout my hunting career. I’m still learning from others, even today.

Q: Where are you from and how did you get to where you are today?
Cameron Ingram: My wife, Renee, and I both grew up in Sanford and graduated high school together from Lee Senior. I went on to East Carolina University and graduated in 1994 with a degree in Natural Resource Management in Parks and Recreation.

During college, I interned with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under a biologist named Steve Brown, who helped get my foot in the door with the federal government. After graduation, I worked as a wildlife specialist with the USDA, primarily trapping beavers in eastern North Carolina and working with farmers and the DOT in the Beaver Management Assistance Program. That job involved using explosives to remove beaver dams and other water obstacles.

After about three and a half years, I was accepted into the Wildlife Enforcement Officer Training School with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in 1997. My first duty station was in Bertie County, but after six months, I made a lateral transfer to northern Orange County near Hurdle Mills, where I stayed for about eight years.

In 2005, I was promoted to sergeant and relocated to Pleasant Garden, near Climax, North Carolina, where we still live today. I continued moving up the chain in the enforcement division until I became executive director of the Wildlife Resources Commission about five years ago, during the pandemic.

Q: You’ve lived all over the state! Why did you ultimately decide to stay in North Carolina?
Cameron Ingram: When I was with the USDA, I had to decide whether to continue moving up within the federal government, which would have required relocating frequently. My wife and I love North Carolina—the diversity of landscapes from the mountains to the coast, the rich wildlife, and the opportunities for conservation work. We knew this was where we wanted to put down roots, and we’ve never looked back.

Renee taught school here, and I was able to build a career in conservation with the state. It was the perfect fit for us.

Q: What drives your passion for wildlife and conservation?
Cameron Ingram: It’s something that’s always been part of my life. Growing up in Lee County, my sister and I spent most of our time outside—playing in creeks, fishing with my father, and experiencing wildlife firsthand. Those experiences shaped my values and led me to a career path where I could protect and enhance our environment.

I didn’t always know I’d go into wildlife enforcement, but I knew I wanted to work in the outdoors. I’ve been fortunate to build a career in conservation in North Carolina, working with our diverse game and non-game species. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your work?
Cameron Ingram: Relationships.

Early in my career, it was about working with wildlife enforcement officers, the public, and the communities I served. As I moved up, those relationships expanded to include commissioners, legislators, and—most importantly—our conservation partners.

North Carolina has an incredible network of people dedicated to conservation. Tens of thousands of people are advocating for wildlife and habitat protection. Seeing that collective voice in action is the most rewarding part of my work.

Q: What do you see as the top conservation challenges facing North Carolina?
Cameron Ingram: I think one of the biggest challenges is urbanization. North Carolina’s population is growing—over 10.5 million people now—and with that growth comes habitat loss and fragmentation. Wildlife is affected by development every day.

Along with that, public access to natural resources is a major concern. As development increases, maintaining access to public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities becomes even more critical. COVID-19 showed us how important the outdoors is to people, and we need to ensure future generations can experience and enjoy it.

Another major issue is protecting our diverse wildlife, from the fisheries in eastern North Carolina to the growing elk population in the mountains. With such a rapidly changing state, we need to take action now to ensure these species and habitats remain intact for the future.

Q: Who are your conservation heroes?
Cameron Ingram: Aldo Leopold is an inspiration to many in conservation, including me.

On a personal level, Steve Brown, my mentor at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, had a big influence on my career. Monty Crump, chairman of the Wildlife Resources Commission, has also been a great mentor. In wildlife enforcement, my first sergeant, John Massey, had a huge impact on me. There have been so many others along the way—it’s hard to name them all!

Q: What has your involvement with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) looked like?
Cameron Ingram: My connection with NCWF began when I was in field operations. One of the federation’s great efforts is recognizing the work of law enforcement officers in conservation. I served as the link between our enforcement division and NCWF, coordinating nominations and supporting their awards banquet.

As I moved into leadership, those relationships expanded. I worked with NCWF on policy initiatives and legislation, attended board meetings, and engaged with their conservation partners. Their mission aligns perfectly with my own passion for wildlife conservation, and I see great opportunities to continue working together in the future.

Q: How do you hope receiving this award will promote your conservation work?
Cameron Ingram: It’s an incredible honor to be named Wildlife Conservationist of the Year. More than anything, I hope to use this recognition as a platform to advance conservation efforts in North Carolina.

There are so many opportunities ahead, and I believe this award will help bring people to the table—partners, policymakers, and advocates—so we can make the biggest possible impact for wildlife.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to others passionate about conservation, what would it be?
Cameron Ingram: Get involved.

Speak up, take action, and fight for wildlife and habitat conservation. The more people who engage in this work, the bigger the impact we can make. Now is the time to step up and protect what we have for future generations.

You can reserve your seat for NCWF’s 60th Governor’s Conservationist Achievement Awards ceremony on May 3rd at Embassy Suites in Cary, NC. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in the celebration of conservation heroes across the state. Reserve your seat.

Written by:

 

– Bates Whitaker, NCWF Communications & Marketing Manager