ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
2013-2014 Annual Report
College of Natural Resources Mission Statement The mission of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources is to provide education, research and outreach in integrated natural resources management, environmental education, and paper science and engineering. The College of Natural Resources: • Provides undergraduate and graduate instruction combining theoretical concepts with practical experience, such as laboratory and field-oriented courses, internships and special projects. • Promotes scholarly activities that enhance the creation or application of knowledge or contributes to the resolution of environmental and natural resources management issues, especially through student research. • Shares faculty and student expertise with citizens, communities, agencies and industries through outreach, scholarship, and consulting.
Contents Fostering Student Success.................................................................... 1-4 Building Partnerships........................................................................... 5-8 Inspiring International Awareness........................................................ 9-10 Faculty and Staff Excellence...............................................................11-14 Reaching out to the Community......................................................... 15-18 Upgrading Facilities.......................................................................... 19-20 Enriching Education through Contributions..........................................21-24 CNR by the Numbers......................................................................... 25-27
On the front cover (from left to right): A student spends time at Treehaven during a three-week immersion course focused on careers in natural resources; Fire Crew students participate in a prescribed burn; Students spend a day assisting the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with sturgeon sampling at the Shawano dam in Wisconsin. On the back cover (from left to right): A transect square is utilized to determine plant density by three UW-Stevens Point CNR students; A student sits atop the Tatra mountain range in Poland during the European Environmental Studies Seminar; Students gain hands on experience during a water lab at Treehaven.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. UW-Stevens Point campus is tobacco free.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Fostering Student Success
Taking a break at the top of the Tatra Mountain range in Poland, students participating in the European Environmental Seminar spent six weeks learning about global natural resource practices in Europe. 1
2013-2014 Annual Report
Nigel Golden joins research team in Siberian Arctic Living on a barge in the Kolyma River Nigel Golden had the opportunity to see first hand the effects of climate change in the Siberian Arctic as a participant in The Polaris Project. Golden, a wildlife ecology major, was selected along with seventeen other students across the nation to travel with a research team focused on climate change to Siberia. Along with traveling to Pleistocene Park and Duvanny Y’ar each participant designed their own research project and spent time collecting their data in the tundra. Nigel focused his research on determining arctic ground squirrels influence on carbon flux in the tundra. The Polaris Project trains future generations of scientists and engages the public in their findings. You can learn more about Nigel’s experience at www.thepolarisproject.org.
Students surpass professionals to win 2013 WWOA Operators’ Challenge Surpassing professionals in the waste profession Tyler Bastian, Jacob Kehring and Mitchell Vinz, soil and waste resource majors, won the 2013 Operators’ Competition at the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators’ Association’s (WWOA) Annual Convention held in Stevens Point, Wis. Bastian, Kehring and Vinz, the only student team, competed against wastewater operator professionals from Wisconsin and Michigan. The competition consisted of collection, maintenance, lab and operations events. Competitors fixed sections of pipe, repaired pinch valves, tested their knowledge of plant operations and set up Biochemical Oxygen Demand samples. The students gained some excellent experience and brought home a plaque commemorating their win.
Undergraduate Student Research Symposium rolls into 15th year A great crowd turned out at the 15th annual Undergraduate Student Research Symposium. Eighty eight students showcased their research findings through 41 poster presentations and 23 oral presentations. The symposium offers a great opportunity for students to engage in research and hone their presentation skills in preparation for their professional careers. The symposium is planned and organized by a steering committee made up of students with faculty and staff members assisting as needed. A complete list of participants and results can be found at www.uwsp.edu/cnr/studentsymposium. from top: Nigel Golden takes a soil sample on the Siberian Tundra during research trip with The Polaris Project; Anastasia Wolf-Flasch answers questions about her research during the 2014 Undergraduate Student Research Symposium.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Student Society of Arboriculture honored with ISA Gold Leaf Award Active on campus since 1978, the Student Society of Arboriculture (SSA) was honored for their volunteer work by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). ISA presented the Gold Leaf Award for SSA’s efforts crafting a safe and prolonged urban forest through campus pruning activities at the Wisconsin Arborist Association’s annual conference. The students oversee the pruning efforts of approximately 2,000 trees providing a healthier and safer tree population while enhancing the skills they learn in the classroom.
Student research and presentation skills shine across Wisconsin Four students walked away with top recognitions at the annual meetings of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society. Zach Beard, an undergraduate fisheries major, received the Steven Yeo Best Student Paper and Craig Kelling, a masters student, received the Best Student Poster Award at the 43rd annual meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society in February. Beard’s paper, Evaluation of dorsal spines and scales as nonlethal alternatives to otoliths for estimating bluegill ages, was coauthored with Dan Isermann the acting unit leader Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (WICFRU) . Kelling’s poster, Use of DNR bar coding for identifying partially-digested fish in diet studies, was coauthored with Keith Turnquist, WICFRU research specialist, Dan Isermann, and Brian Sloss, CNR associate dean. Wildlife ecology majors Jacob Marty and Nate Francois were the recipients of the Student award and Best Undergraduate Presentation respectively at the Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society annual meeting in March. Nominees for the prestigious WCTWS Student Award are judged on the basis of grade point average, leadership qualities, participation in wildlife conservation organizations and the potential for future contributions to the wildlife profession. Marty will graduate in December 2014. Francois’ paper, Observer Discrepancies in Environmental Covariates: let’s agree to disagree, was a product of a Douglas R. Stephens Boone and Crockett Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Francois is currently a junior majoring in wildlife ecology and slated to graduate in May 2015.
from top: The Student Society of Arboriculture was presented the ISA Gold Leaf Award for their urban forestry efforts on campus; Zachary Beard received the Steven Yeo Best Student Paper Award at the Wisconsin AFS meeting; Jacob Marty is presented with the student award at the Wisconsin Wildlife Society meeting.
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2013-2014 Annual Report
CNR Student Success Center mentor wins Outstanding Peer Advisor Award Kristina Borgstrom was honored with the Outstanding Peer Advisor Award at the Wisconsin Academic Advising Association’s (WACADA) state conference in September 2013. The award recognizes individuals working with, for and in favor of students in an academic advising capacity. Borgstrom helped students with various concerns including assistance with academic programs, guidance on maneuvering around campus and advising in the CNR Student Success Center (SSC). The SSC is a student-centered facility created to help students succeed during their time at UW-Stevens Point.
Students gain real world skills through summer field experiences Our summer field experiences continue to be an integral part of our program giving students hands-on, real world experiences in all areas of natural resource management. Students have the option of participating in a field training course at our field station in Tomahawk, Wis. or a European Environmental Studies Seminar. Students participating in the Wisconsin field training course are split into three sessions. Two of the sessions are six weeks at our Treehaven facility in Tomahawk, Wis., and the third session is six weeks split between our Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) in Amherst Junction, Wis., and the UW-Stevens Point campus. One hundred and eight students participated in session one and 107 students in session two. Fifty eight students took part in session three at CWES/UW-Stevens Point campus for the 2013 summer field experience. The European Environmental Studies Seminar provides students two weeks of handson field experiences at CWES prior to their departure to Europe for five weeks of programming. Students spend two weeks in Germany, two weeks in Poland, and one week in Iceland learning about global natural resources practices. Kevin Russell, associate professor of wildlife ecology, and Les Werner, associate professor of forestry, led 41 students on the 2013 international experience.
From top: Kristina Borgstrom, pictured in Iceland, was one of three recipients of the WACADA Peer Advisor Awards.; Participating in a hands- on activity, Associate Professor of Forestry Les Werner co-led the CNR’s signature European Environmental Seminar with Kevin Russell.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Building Partnerships
Carey Shepherd (center), a national training specialist with Husqvarna, taught current methods for felling trees and provided beneficial feedback to University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students during a hands-on field course. 5
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Students, professionals and chainsaws converged for the science of tree felling course Students gained practical, hands-on training and partnerships were created during the two and a half day Science of Tree Felling field course. Les Werner, associate professor of forestry, partnered with the Stevens Point Country Club and professional arborists and loggers, including seven alumni, to give students experience in the science of felling trees. Werner collaborated with professionals Cary Shepherd, national training specialist at Husqvarna, Paul Ahlen (BS Forestry Management ‘00), John Wayne Farber (BS Forestry Management/Urban ‘10), Aaron Meyer (BS Forestry Management/Urban ‘96), Don Roppolo (MS Natural Resources ‘99), Aaron Schauer (BS Forestry Management/Urban ‘03), and Michael Stanonik (BS urban forestry ‘00) and worked out an agreement allowing students to remove dead trees from the Club property. Each professional worked with two to three students teaching current methods for felling trees and providing feedback. The interactions with professionals also provided an opportunity for students to learn more about careers in forestry.
CWSE joins forces with county conservation offices and WDNR to monitor streams Volunteers are expanding efforts to better understand water conditions in pumping stressed regions of Wisconsin’s Central Sands. The Center for Watershed Science and Education (CWSE) collaborated with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and county conservation offices in Adams, Marquette, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood counties to increase stream monitoring efforts in counties with increased groundwater pumping. Each of the six counties was provided with a professional grade stream flow monitoring device and volunteer training. Volunteers in each county began gathering stream data during the summer of 2013. The collected data is loaded by the county into a WDNR database. The CWSE assures quality control through random site testing on a percentage of the sampling sites during the course of the year. The CWSE is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Learn more about this project and other CWSE research at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/watershed.
from top: Students gain hands-on skills with guidance from professionals during a course focused on the science of felling trees; Jessica Haucke, a technician with the Center for Watershed Science and Education, holds an example of the flowmeters distributed to six counties in Wisconsin to increase stream monitoring efforts.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Department of Education Green Ribbon recognition comes from growing partnership Sustainability efforts, strengthened by a program partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the Tomorrow River Community Charter School (TRCCS), were recognized by the Department of Education. TRCSS was awarded the prestigious Green Ribbon Award by the Department of Education for increasing environmental awareness and sustainability programming at their school. This recognition is a testament to the strength of the growing partnership with Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) educators who have played an integral role in curriculum development and assisting with teaching courses focused on the environment. UW-Stevens Point environmental education students have also developed long-term projects with the elementary students giving them excellent real world experiences. CWES is a field station of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources.
Locating nitrate sources in groundwater The Center for Watershed Science and Education partnered with the Town of Hull in Portage County, Wisconsin, to study the occurrence of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, food additives and personal care products in private well water to better understand the sources of nitrate in groundwater. Nitrate levels have previously been used as indicators of water quality with groundwater nitrate levels exceeding 10 parts per million (ppm) considered unhealthy for consumption. Preliminary monitoring results in relatively high density unsewered subdivisions show nitrate levels may not be the best water quality indicator. Groundwater with high nitrate levels, greater than 10 ppm, adjacent to agricultural activities may indicate the presence of pesticides but findings are showing groundwater with less than 10 ppm nitrate in unsewered subdivisions often contain other chemicals used by humans such as artificial sweeteners, antibiotics and caffeine. The presence of these chemicals in the water may pose a greater health risk than nitrate concerns. The study will be completed in June 2015. The Center for Watershed Science and Education is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Learn more about the Center at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/watershed.
from top: Collaborating with UW-Stevens Point has boosted the sustainability efforts of the Tomorrow River Community Charter School; Bill DeVita, a laboratory manager with the Water and Environmental Analysis Lab within the Center for Watershed Science and Education, drills a test well to investigate groundwater nitrate sources.
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Partnership brings Chinese students to Wisconsin The environment was on the minds of sixteen Chinese students who spent their winter break exploring nature reserves, research stations and American schools, learning more about the natural world and career possibilities. The three-week international experience was created through a partnership between UW-Stevens Point, Xiadong Kuang, assistant professor at Edgewood College in Madison, Jack Palmer, a retired teacher, and the Stevens Point public and parochial schools. The students stayed at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station while attending school at either the Stevens Point Area High School or St. Peters Catholic Middle School. Their itinerary included tours of Schmeeckle Reserve, Treehaven, the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, Wisconsin Dairy State Cheese Company, Hartman Creek State Park, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and a weekend with a local family. The students also visited the university paper machine and learned about careers specifically in Paper Science and Engineering from Roland Gong, an assistant professor of paper science and engineering, who is also from China.
Wisconsin Nature Centers receive land management assistance Eight environmental education organizations in Wisconsin received technical and consulting assistance as part of a pilot grant program through a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin-Cooperative Extension. Steve Kerlin, faculty member and extension specialist with the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, Kevin Burns, Treehaven ecologist, Laura Anderson McIntyre, assistant professor of forestry, and 35 UW-Stevens Point students provided assistance with land management plans and practices at nature centers and camps across Wisconsin. Students gained real-world experience developing ideas for how the organizations can tie land management to educational programming, designing GIS maps, developing proposals and plans for ADA accessible trails and a handful of other relevant projects with guidance from faculty and staff. Plans are in the works to expand the program and include more organizations in the future.
from top: Learning about the environment at Treehaven a Chinese student holds a black capped chickadee; Chinese students participating in an environmental immersion course learn how to snowshoe; Kevin Burns, ecologist, works with students to remove trees at CWES as part of a pilot project to assist Wisconsin nature centers.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Inspiring International Awareness
Educational posters highlighting mammals, birds and reptiles found within Santa Rosa National Park in Costa Rica were created by University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students in the Environmental Interpretation Practicum course with collaboration from three alumni. Professors, Tim Ginnett (second from left) and Brenda Lackey (far right), presented them to the park educators. 9
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Students and Alumni collaborate to enhance Santa Rosa National Park in Costa Rica Costa Rica’s Santa Rosa National Park expanded their educational tools through a collaboration between University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students, alumni and staff. Students in the Natural Resources Environmental Interpretation Practicum class designed a series of educational posters focused on mammals, birds and reptiles found in Santa Rosa National Park with assistance from alumni Marie Fargo ‘13, Christine Kuhn ‘13, and Jessie Lambert ‘13, to ensure the content would be useful for educators working within the park, Professors Tim Ginnett and Brenda Lackey coordinated the effort with naturalist David Norman. The finished products were delivered during the Tropical Ecology course trip this past January and were welcomed by park staff.
Miniconference brings Lake Nicaragua struggle to Stevens Point UW-Extension Lakes collaborated with the Wisconsin Nicaragua Partnership to present a one-day miniconference about Lake Nicaragua and the threats it is facing. Lake Nicaragua is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, it is also in the center of a planned canal route that would serve as an alternative to the Panama Canal. Ronald Blandón, country coordinator and Elisa Estrada, range officer, for the Partners of the America’s Farmer-to-Farmer Program presented updates on the canal project. Victor Cedeño shared the unique ecological and watershed characteristics setting Lake Nicaragua apart from other lakes. Amy Wiza from the Wisconsin-Nicaragua Partnership and fellow Wisconsinites Steven Greb, Craig Thompson, Rick Hall and Bill Volkert discussed numerous ties Wisconsin and Nicaragua share such as cultural exchanges and migratory birds. UWExtension Lakes plans to develop and build on these ties, and in the future the Lakes program anticipates scheduling a wintertime trip to Nicaragua to learn more about the lake and help with the effort to establish citizen water quality monitoring programs in its watershed. Visit www.uwsp.edu/UWEXLakes to learn more.
from top: Educational posters were created through a collaboration with students, faculty and alumni for the Santa Rosa National Park in Costa Rica, which is home to the Kinkajou; The public was invited to a miniconference focused on the plight of Lake Nicaragua, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Faculty and Staff Excellence
Assistant Professor of Forestry, James Cook, presented a paper highlighting several student research projects at the International meeting of the Society of Ecological Restoration Conference. 11
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American Water Resources Association honors Wisconsin Well Water Viewer contributor Dave Mechenich, Center for Watershed Science and Education data manager, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin American Water Resources Association at their annual meeting in March. The award recognizes individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions to enhance the quality of water resources in Wisconsin. Mechenich was instrumental in creating the Wisconsin Well Water Quality Interactive viewer, an educational tool designed to help people understand Wisconsin’s groundwater resources. The viewer is available at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/watershed.
Anderson appointed to the Natural Areas Preservation Council Eric Anderson, wildlife ecology professor, was appointed to the Natural Areas Preservation Council (NAPC) by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. Anderson will join Alumna Victoria Rydberg (MS Natural Resources ‘08) and nine other members. The NAPC advises the Department of Natural Resource’s State Natural Areas Program on issues relating to the establishment, protection and management of the last and best remaining examples of Wisconsin’s native landscapes: its unplowed prairies, intact wetlands, and pristine forests. These special areas contain 81 percent of our most-threatened bird species and 93 percent of our most-threatened plant species.
Energy literacy efforts take center stage at Midwest Energy Solutions Conference The Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) has been bringing educators and energy professionals together to promote energy literacy in Wisconsin and beyond for two decades and their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. KEEP was honored with the 2014 Inspiring Efficiency Education Award by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. Bestowed annually at the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, the award is presented for development and implementation of a local campaign, program, strategy or idea to increase knowledge and action on energy efficiency. More information on KEEP’s efforts can be found at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/keep.
from top: Dave Mechenich, Center for Watershed Science and Education, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin American Water Resources Association; Eric Anderson was appointed to the Natural Areas Preservation Council; Sara Windjue, KEEP, and Susan Schuller, WCEE, accept the 2014 Inspiring Efficiency Education Award from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
New Mayfly species identified by Aquatic Biomonitoring Lab The number of Wisconsin’s mayfly species increased by one after the Aquatic Biomonitoring Lab identified Fallceon quilleri (Dodds), a small minnow mayfly, from a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources stream biomonitoring sample. The sample was collected from the Little Platte River in Grant County. It expands the number of Wisconsin’s known mayfly species to 158. The Aquatic Biomonitoring Laboratory is run by Jeff Dimick and analyzes hundreds of stream biomonitoring samples from the WDNR and other governmental, tribal and nonprofit agencies each year to assess water quality. The Aquatic Biomonitoring Lab is part of the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (WICFRU), an outreach center within the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. Learn more about WICFRU at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/wicfru.
Two honored with University Awards Randy Champeau’s 32 years of dedication to the state of Wisconsin was recognized by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point who honored him with their University Service Award. Champeau was the former and founding director of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education (WCEE) and served as the associate dean for outreach and extension for the College. Champeau was instrumental in establishing the WCEE which has shaped environmental education across the state of Wisconsin. Becky Martin, WCEE office and budget manager, was the recipient of the university’s outstanding Work Performance Award for consistently going above-and-beyond the expectations of her position. Martin has volunteered to help train new staff, managed amendments of the University of Wisconsin-Extension IIA budget, and helped organize and manage search and screen committee responsibilities. The Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Learn more about the Center at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/wcee.
from top: The Aquatic Biomonitoring Lab identified this small minnow mayfly bringing Wisconsin’s mayfly species total to 158; Randy Champeau was honored with the University Service Award for his instrumental role in founding the WCEE. Becky Martin received the University Outstanding Work Performance Award for going above and beyond the expectations of her position in the WCEE..
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Schmeeckle Director honored with top University of Wisconsin System award Ron Zimmerman, Schmeeckle Reserve director, received one of the University of Wisconsin System’s highest honors. The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents honored Zimmerman with the Academic Staff Award for Excellence for his work with Schmeeckle Reserve, his efforts creating the environmental interpretation program and his entrepreneurial vision. Zimmerman was hired as the first director of Schmeeckle Reserve in 1979 and developed the reserve into a world-class outdoor environmental teaching laboratory and community nature reserve. With Zimmerman’s leadership Schmeeckle Reserve has grown from 127 to 280 acres, and welcomes 200,000 visitors annually. He has collaborated with community members and state organizations, including the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, the Green Circle Trail and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which restored Moses Creek through a 2010 mitigation project. Entrepreneurially, Zimmerman developed a cedar sign shop and provides interpretive consulting services nationwide. Schmeeckle Reserve is one of three field stations of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources.
Faculty incorporate technology into the classroom Students gained practical hands on experience with iPad Mini technology in the classroom through two pilot projects funded by a UW-Stevens Point Intra-College Software/ Technology Mini-Grant. The iPads were utilized in environmental education courses offered by faculty members, Steve Kerlin, Kendra Liddicoat and Becca Franzen, and graduate student Joy Kacoroski and also incorporated into interpretive programs at Schmeeckle Reserve by faculty member Brenda Lackey and staff member Jim Buchholz. Instructors found they were able to review, select, download, plan and incorporate the use of applications into a variety of courses and interpretive programs. Faculty found students showed increased levels of engagement during and prior to class, they thought more critically about what was being presented and gained excellent experience, which will carry over into their future careers.
from top: Ron Zimmerman was awarded the UW System Board of Regents Academic Staff Award for Excellence; The Moses Creek restoration project wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of Ron Zimmerman and others; Environmental Education students utilize iPad mini technology in the classroom.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Reaching out to the Community
The Wolf Den of Cub Scout Pack 298 learned about vermicomposting on a tour of the Waste Education Center housed within the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. 15
2013-2014 Annual Report
UW-Extension Lakes brings Lakes Partnership Convention back to Stevens Point The annual Lakes Partnership Convention made its way back to its birthplace after being hosted in Green Bay for the last decade. Returning the convention to Stevens Point allowed the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership to collaborate closely with university students, faculty and staff and provide unique opportunities to the local communities. Nearly 600 people attended the April event with keynote speaker Tyrone Hayes, a renowned frog scientist with the University of California-Berkeley. A workshop and community event was also hosted by TorbjĂśrn Lahti, planner and codirector for the Institute for Ecomunicipality Education and Assistance. Lahti was funded through a joint sponsorship from UW-Extension Lakes and the Center for Land Use Education. An event for area youth was hosted at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station featuring Hayes, students from the Save the Frogs chapter, staff from Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development Inc. and Randy Korb, a scientist, presenter, educator and author from Wisconsin. Learn more about the UW-Extension Lakes program and next years convention slated for April 23-25, 2015, at www.uwsp.edu/uwexlakes. The University of WisconsinExtension Lakes program is a partnership between the UW-Stevens Point CNR and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Treehaven hosts third annual snowshoe race Snowshoe enthusiasts didn’t let the bitter cold temperatures keep them away from the third annual Treehaven Tromp snowshoe race held in February at Treehaven in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Eighty-five racers strapped on their snowshoes and hit the trails. The race is part of the Braveheart Snowshoe Association Regional Qualifying Event leading to the United States Specialty Sports Association National Championships. Next years race will be held on February 7, 2015. More details are available at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/ treehaven. Treehaven is a facility of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. .
from top: Participants at the UW-Extension Lakes conference had a chance to get hands on during a breakout session; Racers on snowshoes make their way to the finish line during the annual Treehaven Tromp Snowshoe race.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Schmeeckle’s Candlelight Hike Festivals and community programs keep growing A record 1,200 people attended Schmeeckle Reserve’s fall 2013 Candlelight Hike Festival. The theme was “Nature’s Recyclers,” with a campfire program, snacks, crafts and hands-on Discovery Stations exploring the topic of decomposition. Visitors also walked torch-lit trails. More than 800 community members attended the spring 2014 Hike, focused on prehistoric Schmeeckle. To see videos of the campfire programs, visit www.youtube.com/user/schmeecklereserve. During the 2012-13 school year, more than 850 community members attended the Reserve’s natural and cultural programs presented by students in the environmental education and interpretation practicum. For more information, visit www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle and click on “Programs and Events.” Schmeeckle Reserve is a facility of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources.
Center engages community to improve quality of lakes and streams Wisconsin’s lakes and streams are vulnerable to additions of sediment, nutrients and other compounds. Pollutants can reduce water clarity, increase algal blooms, change fish and plant communities and harm recreational use of the water. In some cases, high levels of nutrients can lead to the release of algal toxins dangerous to animals and humans. The Center for Watershed Science and Education (CWSE) is engaged in a variety of projects helping citizens, communities and agencies understand these and other sources of surface water degradation and ways to improve water quality. Some of these projects include: collaborating with edge-of-field monitoring projects throughout Wisconsin; helping lake groups understand current water quality; assisting agencies and citizens with advanced nutrient budget development; helping communities and practitioners improve stormwater management and wastewater treatment; and developing applied research in related areas such as the importance of climate change on water resources, the value of wetlands in flooding and water quality, and understanding the impact of septic systems on lakes. The Center for Watershed Science and Education is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Learn more about CWSE at www.uwsp.edu/cwes.
from top: Environmental Education students presented a campfire program to a record audience at Schmeeckle’s annual candlelight hike festival; A student processes a water sample for the Center for Watershed Science and Education; A student logs plant density for a research project within the Center for Wateshed Science and Education.
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2013-2014 Annual Report
Women learn outdoor skills through Becoming and Outdoors Woman program Nine workshops and adventures encouraging women to experience the outdoors were offered through the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program. The original BOW workshop format is a three day, multi-course event with more than 20 classes to choose from including fly fishing, archery, shotgun and rifle shooting, wildlife habitat, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping, nature photography, basic fishing, boat and trailer, and more. Beyond BOW workshops are one to three day events with a single topic like a day at the shooting range, charter fishing, kayaking on a local lake, a weekend of camping, or an archery clinic. BOW Destinations trips are also offered at exotic locations like Belize, Costa Rica, Iceland and Baja Mexico. Women of all experience and fitness levels are encouraged to attend. The BOW program is housed within the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. More information on BOW program offerings can be found at www.uwsp.edu/bow.
EPA grant will boost wetland protection efforts Wisconsin is a water rich state, home to two Great Lakes, 15,000 inland lakes, 88,000 stream miles and five million acres of wetlands spanning 334 watersheds. Wetland losses, combined with ongoing impacts from development, drainage, logging and other activities have significantly altered water quality and watershed health across the state. Very few Wisconsin communities identify wetland protection or restoration priorities in local watershed plans or water quality improvement initiatives. Tools and approaches are not well known causing a barrier to this type of planning. The Center for Land Use Education (CLUE) and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association (WWA) were awarded at $194,000 grant to address this concern by creating a statewide land use and wetlands training program. CLUE and WWA will be partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin County Code Administrators, Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association, St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Geospatial Services Center to move the project forward. CLUE is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Learn more at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/clue. from top: Whitewater rafting was part of a Becoming an Outdoors Woman Poland Beyond Bow trip; A woman learns how to properly shoot at a fall Becoming an Outdoors Woman program; The Center for Land Use Education is collaborating with other agencies to increase wetland protection efforts.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Upgrading Facilities
Schmeeckle Reserve’s Cedar Sign Shop handcrafted new entrance signs for Schmeeckle Reserve, Treehaven and the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. The sign business has had its busiest year ever in 2014, with orders for state parks and trails, nature centers, land donations and businesses. 19
2013-2014 Annual Report
UW System Economic Development Incentive Grant fuels opportunities UW-Stevens Point gained new capabilities for development of specialty papers such as multi-layer packaging, thanks to a UW System Economic Development Incentive Grant. The Wisconsin Institute for Science and Technology (WIST) and the Paper Science and Engineering Department were awarded $1.44 million for specialty papers, packaging and converting. A new Faustel Coater/Laminator installed in the pilot paper machine area can handle paper, film, foil and nonwovens on roll sizes up to 300 mm wide and at speeds of up to 30m/min. The equipment will enhance teaching and learning opportunities. WIST is a center within the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Visit www.uwsp.edu/wist to learn more.
Updates at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) updated their entrance sign, installed a temporary mobile classroom to accommodate the growing Tomorrow River Charter school and converged two roads to allow for better traffic flow and increased parking. Plans are also in the works for a bathhouse and new log cabin. CWES is a facility within the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. Visit www.uwsp.edu/cwes to learn more.
Structural improvements are completed at Treehaven Treehaven underwent a number of construction projects during the summer including a new roof on the Irving L. Young Center Building, culverts and new pavement on Pickerel Creek Road, new shingles on the Vallier Classroom Center and Krebs Maintenance Building and a new water system. These updates will ensure the quality structural support needed for the CNR summer field experiences and interpretive programs taking place all year round. Treehaven is a natural resources education, conference and research center within the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. Visit www. uwsp.edu/treehaven to learn more.
from top: The new Faustel Coater/Laminator installed on the university pilot paper machine will enhance teaching and learning opportunities; CWES joined two roads allowing for better traffic flow and increased parking at their facility; Treehaven received a much needed facelift including the new Michigan style roof on the Irving L. Young Center.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Enriching Education through Contributions
“Our hope is this new position will stand forever as a tribute to our son’s memory and carry forth his passion for wildlife at UW-Stevens Point, an institution he so dearly loved.” Gerald Stephens and his wife Helen donated $2 million in memory of their son, Douglas Stephens (BS Wildlife ‘91). 21
2013-2014 Annual Report
Many generous gifts have been made during the past year. Some of the highlights include: Douglas R. Stephens Chair in Wildlife A generous gift established the university’s first endowed faculty position, enhancing the wildlife ecology and management programs. The $2 million gift from Gerald and Helen Stephens honors the memory of their son, Doug Stephens (BS Wildlife ‘91). The gift helped create the Douglas R. Stephens Chair in Wildlife, a new faculty position in the College of Natural Resources. When Doug Stephens came to UW-Stevens Point as a student in 1987, his dream was to become a wildlife biologist. His dreams were dashed when he suddenly collapsed leading his UW-Stevens Point student research team in search of a hidden black bear den in northern Wisconsin just weeks after he earned his bachelor’s degree. In the years following their son’s death, the Stephens family established several endowment funds in their son’s name at the university to support student research and scholarships in wildlife. Gerald Stephens, a UW-Madison alumnus who is now retired from a successful career in the insurance industry, said, “Our hope is this new position will stand forever as a tribute to our son’s memory and carry forth his passion for wildlife at UW-Stevens Point, an institution he so dearly loved.” The Stephens’ directed their gift to establish an endowment to generate earnings supporting wildlife research, outreach and related activities of the chair. This may include funding for research, related professional travel, graduate students and faculty mentored projects involving students and other members of the college’s wildlife faculty. The university provided the base salary and fringe benefits for the position. The new Chair, Scott Hygnstrom, was hired during the summer and began his new role in September. Hygnstrom brings a wide breadth of experience with him, holding a B.S. in Biology/ Conservation from UW-River Falls, a master’s from UW-Stevens Point, and a Ph.D., from UW-Madison. He has served as a professor and extension wildlife specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 1988. He also spent a year as a visiting lecturer in Otjiwarango, Namibia, with the International Cheetah Foundation. Prior to his time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln he worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a wildlife damage program coordinator, a staff lecturer at UW-River Falls and a research assistant with UW-Madison.
from top: Douglas R. Stephens received his diploma from UW-Stevens Point in 1991; The bear research project Douglas worked on is still going strong today; Scott Hygnstrom is the new Douglas R. Stephens Chair in Wildlife.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Dorothy Kopmeier Vallier Foundation The Dorothy Kopmeier Vallier Foundation provided support for the Vallier Treehaven Resident Ecologist position at Treehaven. The current Resident Ecologist, Kevin Burns, has been a great asset teaching during the summer field experiences and recently collaborated with the UW-Stevens Point Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Center to create GIS workshops for forestry professionals. The course, originally slated to be one day for five weeks, changed quickly to three days for five weeks due to overwhelming enrollment.
SavATree Scholarship A belief in investing in today’s students to help build a foundation of people with a passion for preserving and enhancing our outdoor surroundings for future generations is what inspired SavATree to provide their scholarship to two UW-Stevens Point students. Their company provides stewardship for more than 26,000 properties throughout the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions, promoting sustainable environments and the optimal relationship between people and their surroundings.
Wildland Fire Science Scholarship The Wildland Fire Science Scholarship was initiated to support students majoring in Wildland Fire Science. The Wildland Fire Science major, established in fall 2013, is the first undergraduate program of its kind in the eastern U.S. and one of only a half dozen in the nation. The program teaches not only the complex science of how fire behaves and what fuels it, but also how prescribed fire can rejuvenate native plant and animal communities, reduce wildfire risk and promote ecosystem health.
Alumnus continues to give back Tim Kroeff (BS Resource Management ‘75) believes strongly in the field-based education he received at UW-Stevens Point and as a way to give back he created a scholarship endowment in 2006. Kroeff is currently serving as a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Fisheries Management Technician and has been a long standing member of the WDNR Northeast Region Dive Team in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. His scholarship is awarded annually to a student attending Treehaven. Kroeff previously donated funds for a stream shocker. from top: Vallier Treehaven Resident Ecologist, Kevin Burns, speaks to a visiting group at Treehaven; Brian Gorman was the recipient of the 2014 Wildland Fire Science Scholarship; UW-Stevens Point Alumnus, Tim Kroeff, continues to give back to his alma mater through a scholarship endowment established in 2006.
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2013-2014 Annual Report
George Rogers Living Forest grows from land donation Honoring the wishes of their late husband and father, George Rogers, Jeanette Rogers along with her children, Jim and Jane, donated a 39-acre managed, working forest in the town of Hull. George Rogers, a Stevens Point native, longtime writer, editor, civic leader and devoted conservationist, died last November. Jeanette died April 22, 2014. Rogers purchased the property in 1950, when it was mostly open land with a few scattered scrub oak and jack pine. He planted more than 40,000 red pine seedlings and 500 white pine seedlings, with the help of UW-Stevens Point students. The Rogers family worked with North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT), a Stevens Point-based land trust, to place a conservation easement on the property. Rogers harvested about 1,900 cords of wood between 1972 and 2007, including logs to build three cabins at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. The George Rogers Living Forest will be used as an outdoor laboratory for education, demonstration and research.
Herbert J. Schneider Memorial Scholarship Herb Schneider left a large footprint on conservation efforts during his 25 year career as a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources warden. As a young man, he loved nature and dreamed of becoming a game warden. His dream became a reality and he remained a field warden despite chances for promotion. He served in Stevens Point from 1958 to 1973, then transferred to Woodruff, where he worked as a field warden until his retirement in 1983. Herb went above the call of duty helping create Standing Rocks County Park and the Dewey Marsh State Wildlife Area. He also served as a mentor to numerous students in the College. Herb died at the age of 83 on August 23, 2013 but his legacy lives on through each of the students receiving this scholarship.
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation gifted a large grant to the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) supporting the design and construction of a new shower and bathroom facility and one of three new half-log cabins. The buildings will increase the capacity and quality of their summer camp programs. Continuing with its sustainable initiatives, CWES worked with the UW-Stevens Point student chapter of the Society of American Forestry to cut down and mill wood on site that will be utilized for the flooring and inside paneling in the new cabins.
from top: George and Jeanette Rogers’ children, James and Jane, attend the dedication of the George Rogers Living Forest; Herb Schneider left a lasting legacy during his 25 years with the WDNR; Andrew Widmar, a forestry major and member of the Society of American Foresters student chapter, help cut wood that will be utilized for new cabins at CWES.
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
CNR by the Numbers
Students, Faculty and Staff
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1779 students enrolled
90 Academic Staff
44 Faculty
66 Classified Staff
2013-2014 Annual Report
Disciplines, Majors, and Minors 6 disciplines 21 majors and 16 minors. Majors: Fisheries and Water Resources majors • Fisheries • Hydrology • Water Resources Forestry majors • Ecosystem Restoration and Management • Forest Administration and Utilization • Forest Management • Forest Recreation • Urban Forestry Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Mgt. majors • Environmental Education and Interpretation • General Resource Management • Land Use Planning • Natural Resources Social and Policy Sciences • Resource Management Law Enforcement • Wildland Fire Science • Wildlife Education • Youth Programming and Camp Management
Paper Science and Engineering major • Paper Science and Engineering Soil and Waste Resources majors • Soil and Land Management • Soil Science • Waste Management Wildlife Ecology and Management majors • Wildlife Ecology and Management
Minors: • Biofuels Engineering • Captive Wildlife • Conservation Biology • Environmental Communications • Environmental Educ./Interpretation • Environmental Law Enforcement • Forest Recreation • Forestry
• International Resource Mgt. • Land Use Planning • Resource Management • Soil Science • Sustainable Energy • Water Resources • Wildlife • Youth Programming and Camp Mgt.
Internships
171 students were placed in paid internship positions with government and private agencies. $544,000 is the approximate total annual payroll for students participating in paid internship positions. 26
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Graduation and Job Placement 395 students graduated during the 2013-2014 academic year 375 graduates received their bachelor’s degree 20 graduates received their master’s degree 90% of CNR graduates found employment or went on for further schooling
Fundraising (Total Gifts of Cash or Stock (7/1/2013 - 6/30/2014)
621 gifts were received from 538 donors for a total of $2,744,987.33*. The CNR endowment principle was increased by $250,656.70 during the past year** *Excludes the value of two gifts of land donated to the College **March 2013 = $5,161,187.62 vs. March 2014 = $7,278,586.11 (does not include market adjustment)
Centers, Facilities and Programs Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Treehaven
Center for Land Use Education
UW-Extension Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center
• UW-Extension Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Center for Watershed Science and Education
Waste Education Center Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education
• Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center
• KEEP, Wisconsin’s K-12 Energy Education Program
• Water and Environmental Analysis Lab
• LEAF, Wisconsin’s K-12 Forestry Education Program
Central Wisconsin Environmental Station
Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Global Environmental Management Education Center
Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology
Schmeeckle Reserve 27
2013-2014 Annual Report
College of Natural Resources Trainer Natural Resources Building University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 800 Reserve Street Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897
Phone: 715-346-4617 Fax: 715-346-4554 uwsp.edu/cnr facebook.com/UWSPCNR