California's "thin green line" of Fish and Game wardens will grow on April 28 as 10 cadets graduate from the Resources Academy in Ione. The new California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens will serve as front line defenders of the state's natural resources and wildlife. "These cadets have earned the right to join the line of protection for Californians and the valuable fish and wildlife resources," said DFG Patrol Chief Nancy Foley. "They have chosen to wear the proud green uniforms of the state's game warden force and will work alongside the most dedicated and highly trained law enforcement officers in the state." Graduation ceremonies begin at 1 p.m. at the Resources Academy, 4501 State Highway 104, Ione. Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman will address the ceremony along with DFG Director Ryan Broddrick. The next step for the new wardens involves six additional weeks of environmental-specific law enforcement training at the academy. For the first time, nine current law enforcement officers from the ranks of police and sheriff's departments and park rangers have transferred to DFG to join the cadets in this training. DFG Academy Coordinator Lt. John Lawson applauded the cadets on their successful completion of work. He commended the nine men and one woman as the newest members in the front line of protection for California's outdoor heritage. "I'm confident the cadets who graduate from this academy will improve the quality of sporting life for Californians through the day-to-day performance of their duties," Lawson said. "The determination of these cadets to earn this graduation is matched only by the dedication of those wardens already in the field protecting California's natural resources." Wardens ensure the future of wildlife resources for the people of California through responsible enforcement of appropriate laws, regulations and rules. They protect the safety of the public and work in the homeland security arena, respond during natural disasters, investigate illegal commercialization of wildlife, pollution and enforce habitat protection laws. Wardens often work alone and in remote areas that do not allow for immediate backup protection. Annually, wardens make contact with more than 295,000 people and issue more than 15,000 citations. In California, with 159,000 square miles of area that offers habitat and wildlife diversity unequaled by any other state, the average warden has a patrol district of more than 600 square miles. The state has more than 1,100 miles of coastline, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,800 lakes and reservoirs, and 80 major rivers. The state has three of the four North American desert habitats, and scores of high mountain peaks. Less than 300 field wardens and supervisors guard California, and spearhead the state's response in all off-highway toxic spill disasters. The warden often acts as arbitrator for issues involving conflicts between wildlife and people. They recommend recreational activities and serve as educators to the public by speaking at schools, service groups, and with the media. DFG launched its own academy in 1988, but due to budget constraints combined its training facility with the California Department of Forestry and Department of Parks and Recreation in Amador County. Requirements for acceptance to the Fish and Game academy include a minimum of two years college with a major in law enforcement, wildlife biology or a closely related field.