Welcome to Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management
General Overview
The Resource Management major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
traces its origins to 1944 when Fred Schmeeckle created the first Conservation
Education major to be offered in the United States.
Course of Study
General requirements at UW-Stevens Point provide a broad education in
humanities, social science, English, and communication. All majors in the
College of Natural Resources study biological and physical sciences, and take
introductory courses in wildlife management, water resources, soil science and
forestry. These courses are completed in the freshman and sophomore years.
Following the sophomore year, you attend summer camp at the Treehaven Field
Station. Here you learn field techniques in wildlife, water, soil and forestry
as well as field identification of some of Wisconsin's plants and animals. As an
alternative some students attend the Environmental Field Seminar in Germany's
Black Forest. With the fundamentals completed, you are ready to begin your
professional studies. In Resource Management this includes selecting from one of
three options:
-Environmental Education
and Interpretation
-Land Use Planning
-General Resource Management
Internships
Summer and semester long internships are invaluable in gaining practical
experience in your selected profession. In many cases, a salary accompanies the
internship. Interns are placed on the job with organizations such as county,
state, and national parks; nature/environmental centers; youth agencies;
conservation law enforcement agencies; planning departments; soil conservation
offices and others.
Field Facilities
The College of Natural Resources administers three field facilities offering
practical learning experiences:
-Treehaven is a
1,400-acre study area located near Tomahawk. The CNR summer camp is held here,
and special workshops are offered throughout the academic year. Facilities
include modern dormitories, dining hall and classroom buildings.
-The Central Wisconsin
Environmental Station is located 17 miles from campus on Sunset Lake. During
the school year, CWES serves as an environmental education center for area
school children. During the summer, a wide variety of resident camp programs are
offered for youth. Students from the College of Natural Resources are offered
practical experience as teachers and counselors for both school year and summer
programs.
-The Schmeeckle
Reserve is a 275-acre facility bordering the UWSP campus. The reserve serves
primarily as a natural preserve, but is also used as a study site for natural
resources classes, and as a student recreation area. Students in natural
resources can gain practical experiences in nature center programming and
management by working in the new visitor center and on the reserve grounds.
Extracurricular Activities
You are encouraged to get involved with one of the student chapters of
professional organizations. They include the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation
Association, The Environmental Educators and Naturalists Association, The
Wildlife Society, Society of
American Foresters, American Water Resources Association, Fisheries Society,
Izaak Walton League, Soil Conservation Society of America, Society of
Arboriculture, and Xi Sigma Pi.
Graduate Studies
A Master of Science degree can be earned in natural resources with an
emphasis in any Resource Management option.