Michael Dombeck, Global Environmental Management (GEM) Pioneer Professor and UW System Fellow of Global Conservation at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has received the fourth Lady Bird Johnson Conservation Award.

Dombeck, who led the U.S. Forest Service from 1997 until April 2001, came to UWSP in July 2001. He was chosen to receive the recognition for his "bi-partisan, collaborative approaches to problem solving, particularly in the political arena." The award was established by the board of directors of the LBJ Foundation to underscore the lasting devotion of the former first lady to conservation and to the environment. Dombeck will go to Austin, Texas, in March to receive the award at a luncheon at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library.

"I am honored and grateful to be chosen for this award, especially because it recognizes and encourages bi-partisan efforts to ensure the health of the land for the greatest good," said Dombeck. "We work within a democratic political process that sometimes divides us. We must remember, however, that our loyalty to the land and to those yet to be born is a true measure of patriotism, and should take precedence over all other organizational and political loyalties."

In his full-time role with UWSP�s College of Natural Resources (CNR), Dombeck is helping to lead the planning and development of the GEM Education Center, a unifying theme and vision for the CNR.

A member of the college�s advisory board for several years and recipient of the UWSP 1997 Distinguished Alumnus award, Dombeck holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from UWSP and the University of Minnesota and earned his doctorate in fisheries biology from Iowa State University.

He is recognized for research contributions on muskies and lake habitat management. In addition, Dombeck has authored and edited numerous popular and scholarly publications, most notably the book, "Watershed Restoration: Principles and Practices."

As Forest Service chief, Dombeck was responsible for the management of 191 million acres of land, over 33,000 employees and a $4 billion budget. He focused on promoting partnerships, collaborative stewardship, accountability and financial health. His tenure is perhaps best recalled for work in watershed health and restoration, sustainable forest management, sound forest roads and roadless area protection. Dombeck led reform of the Forest Service�s 386,000-mile road system, protection of national treasures such as the Rocky Mountain Front, and development of a national fire plan based on protecting communities and restoring the health of fire dependent land. He has been noted for his organizational management skills, and his positive approach in building coalitions to resolve difficult issues.

Since leaving the Forest Service, Dombeck has received the 2001 Presidential Rank Award as a distinguished executive for his former role as chief of the Forest Service. Last May the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture recognized Dombeck�s contributions to conservation with the honorary position of chief emeritus of the USDA Forest Service.

-30-

sclanton/vc/Dombeck-Johnson