When thoughts of the next millennium come to mind, many of us find that the most common theme is a term that has been repeated so often that it has become a household word: Y2K.

There are Y2K books on the market. Y2K web sites. Y2K seminars. Y2K jokes. Y2K hotlines. Y2K consulting teams. Y2K compliance standards. Even Y2K screen savers, t-shirts and stuffed animals.

There is little doubt that the past several years of talk about the "Millennium Bug" have made for some interesting conversations and a healthy excitement for the coming of the 21^st Century. It certainly has been a little bit nerve-wracking and lots of fun. However, with due respect to all the issues surrounding Y2K, I can’t help but think of two very different things that make the year 2000 so much more special for the College of Natural Resources.

First is history.

This fall marks the 30^th school year since our College was officially established in 1970. Indeed, the University’s history in conservation education dates back even further to 1946, when the likes of Fred Schmeeckle and Charles Watson began their pioneering roles here on campus. Those were special times, which were built on the solid contributions in conservation science and ethics of legendary Wisconsin naturalists, Aldo Leopold and John Muir.

As we pass this milestone in time, I hope you will join me in honoring the many students, faculty, stakeholders and events that have shaped the philosophy and structure of the finest undergraduate natural resources program in North America.

Some of the names are familiar. Some are not. In addition to early faculty members Schmeeckle and Watson, there were names like Bernard Wievel, Paul Yambert, Walter Sylvester and Lee Andreas. And University administrators like May Roach, William Hansen, Lee Dreyfus, and John Ellery. The latter, John Ellery, served as the College’s first dean at its founding in 1970, the same year that Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson established Earth Day and that the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) was enacted.

In more recent times, there were others who contributed in their special ways. Like former CNR Deans Dan Trainer and Alan Haney. Dan Trainer had the inspired vision and commitment to construct the integrated discipline approach of our excellent curriculum. Dan facilitated the establishment of our three outstanding CNR field stations-- here at CWES, Schmeeckle Reserve and Treehaven, and did much to recruit and retain women students, faculty and staff that have enriched the College immeasurably. Under Alan Haney’s leadership, tremendous new facilities were erected, including the new CNR Building Addition, the Wood Utilization Lab on north campus, and the new Paper Science wing of the Science Building with its industry-sponsored paper machine facility. These significant steps forward in infrastructure to help support the instructional, scholarship and service functions of the College were accomplished despite the challenges of retreating budgets during the economic recession of the early and mid 1990’s. Alan kept the College moving forward and strengthened scholarship and national recognition during his tenure as Dean.

And how about the dedicated commitment to providing the best possible education by longtime faculty members like Ron Hensler, Bob Miller, Earl Spangenberg, Byron Shaw and many others? I could continue to list more, but we would go on indefinitely. For each name I mention, I could add yet another that has played a vital role in forwarding the mission of the College. I am excited, too, about the energy, enthusiasm and unique talents of new and recently hired faculty and staff within the past decade. We have an outstanding faculty. And our strength is our collegiality and commitment to excellence.

Perhaps the most meaningful testimony to our College’s legacy is the accomplishments of our 8,000 graduates spanning from the late 1940’s to the late 1990’s. So many have gone on to rewarding careers that have broadened the cause of responsible stewardship of natural resources both near to us locally in Wisconsin, and in other states and corners of the globe. These former students include the likes of Bill Peterson, Roy Swenson, Roland Saccho, Donald Helgerson, Bill Horvath, Hugh and Al Curtis. Again, the list could go on and on.

As current Dean of our College, I can’t tell you how honored and proud I am to have the opportunity to build on such a rich tradition of excellence. The remarkable accomplishments of those who have served before can help us move forward with inspiration and focus as we begin another century of training the leaders of tomorrow in natural resources and environmental management.

While I am inspired by the people and events of our College’s previous history, there is something else that excites me about the coming of the year 2000 -- that is the opportunities and challenges of the Environmental Century.

I firmly believe that we are entering an era I call the Environmental Century, a time when humans must anticipate and take careful steps to resolve problems associated with accelerating global change.

Natural resource management will be at the hub of these tremendous challenges and opportunities induced by global environmental change. Because every nation must provide food, medicine, shelter, water, wildlife, recreation, jobs, and economic and spiritual benefits to its citizens, natural resource planners, managers and educators must embrace the full spectrum of global issues to take the necessary steps to achieve success in the Environmental Century. Success will be measured in our collective ability to meet basic human needs and values such as ample food, fresh water, shelter, meaningful work, aesthetic and spiritual fulfillment, and a secure future for our children and grandchildren. In fact, the World Bank, most federal agencies like NASA, USDA and NFS as well many private non-profit organizations and foundations are now focused on sustainable development and the integrity of the environment.

What’s exciting is that our College is ideally positioned to take a prominent role in the Environmental Century. Drawing from the strong Wisconsin tradition of responsible environmental stewardship, I envision our College as a model or center for world-class environmental leadership. It’s thinking globally, and acting locally…through our leading-edge undergraduate curriculum. Through our practical field training experiences. Through our outstanding international programs. Through delivery of usable knowledge to our students and stakeholders.