UWSP’s Thomas, Trainer cited in conservation honor roll

Two longtime faculty members at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point have been named among the top twenty most influential people in conservation for the 20^th century.

Christine Thomas, associate dean for academic affairs at UWSP’s College of Natural Resources, and Daniel O. Trainer, Jr., emeritus dean of the college, were included in the list published in the January 2000 issue of "Wisconsin Outdoor Journal." The magazine, published by Krause Publications, Iola, has a circulation of about 31,000.

Thomas, the college’s first fully-tenured woman professor (natural resource management), was cited for her work in developing the Becoming An Outdoors-Woman program to teach women outdoor skills. Today the BOW program is offered in 44 states and nine Canadian provinces. Over 50,000 women have participated in the program since it began in 1991. The program has recently been boosted by new government support for a statewide BOW coordinator.

In addition to her work at the college and with BOW, Thomas serves on the Wisconsin Natural Resources Foundation Board, the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and is active in numerous other conservation groups. She received the Conservation Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Federation in 1994 and was named Budweiser/National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Outdoorsman of the Year in 1998.

"I am humbled to be included on a list with this group of people whose commitment has been and will be so important to the future of fish and wildlife-based recreation," said Thomas. "I only hope that history will bear out that they were correct, and that my contributions will help secure the future of hunting for the state of Wisconsin."

"It’s nice to be recognized with a group of people of this caliber," Trainer said of his selection. "I have always felt that what I’ve done in my career has been fun. To be recognized for this is certainly icing on the cake."

In addition to citing conservation giants like Aldo Leopold, the magazine included several individuals who currently serve as advisory board members for the college: Herb Behnke, a hunting a fishing advocate and member of the state’s Natural Resources Board; George Meyer, current secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; and Gaylord Nelson, former Wisconsin governor and U.S. senator, often referred to as the "father of Earth Day."

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