BOW Founder

Christine L. Thomas

Biography

Christine Thomas is Dean of the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point . In addition to her role as a university educator, Thomas has developed a program that teaches women outdoor skills, "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman." Thomas , who has a B.S. in biology from Central Michigan University, an M.S. in Water Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Ph.D. in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has received a number of awards:

1992 Outstanding Faculty Member at the UW-SP College of Natural Resources

1992 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Excellence in Teaching Award

Special Service Award from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Wildlife Management

1993 Outstanding Educator award from the Nebraska Chapter of Safari Club International

1994 Conservation achievement award from the National Wildlife Federation.

She was honored by the American Sportfishing Association as their 1995 "Woman of the Year."

WEAU-TV in Eau Claire, Wisconsin awarded Thomas with the 1995 Whitetail Conservationist of the Year award.

In January 1996, Thomas received the Educator of the Year trophy from Safari Club International.

In September of 1996, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries honored Thomas with a plaque for her "Leadership and Enduring Contributions."

Thomas was named the Budweiser/National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Outdoorsman of the Year for 1998.

The Great Lakes Outdoor Writers Association presented her with their 1998 Golden Glow Award, its highest award for individual achievement.

She was given a 1998 Award of merit from the Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

1998 Wisconsin Wildlife Federation conservation educator of the Year.

1999 Named one of The Twenty Most Influential People of the 20th Century in Wisconsin Conservation...Wisconsin Outdoor Journal.

2002 Inducted into the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show Hall of Fame for Conservation Achievement

2003 Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle appointed Thomas to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.

2005 Featured on the Outdoor Channel "Circle of Honor " television show.

2006 Thomas was elected Vice Chair of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.

Thomas, who is the first female tenured full professor in the college, has taught "Resource Policy and Law," "Natural Resources and Public Relations" and "Integrated Resource Management." She has been active in regional issues related to women in natural resources, having co-chaired two Midwest Regional conferences related to work force diversity. Thomas has research interests that center on resource agency administration, involvement of women in the outdoors and Wisconsin Conservation History. Thomas has served on the board of directors of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the board of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. She is a professional member of the Boone and Crocket Club. Thomas is the author of, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman: My Outdoor Adventure.

In her personal life Thomas has been married to Stanton Thomas since 1972. They have one daughter, Shannon. Thomas enjoys fishing, hunting and gardening.

Bow Director

Peggy Farrell

Biography

Peggy Farrell is the director of the International and Wisconsin Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) programs. In her 18 years with BOW, she has welcomed thousands of women to the outdoors by teaching them beginner-level outdoor skills that help them better enjoy nature and feel more confident.

Farrell's outdoor writing has been published in magazines including Wisconsin Natural Resources, North American Hunter, and North American Fisherman and has been featured in a variety of newspapers and on-line publications. Her diverse background includes training in natural resources, journalism, public relations, advertising, editing and publishing, and hunter education. Farrell has a master's degree in environmental education from UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources.

She lives on a small farm outside Amherst, Wisconsin with Border Collies Oona and Andrew, Carl and Charlie the goats, along with several fancy-breed domestic chickens and geese. Farrell's interests turkey hunting, gardening, music, poetry, and fishing.