Christine Thomas, associate dean and professor of resource management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s College of Natural Resources, has been nominated and approved for "professional" membership in the Boone and Crockett Club. The club was founded by Theodore Roosevelt as part of a group of 20 prominent conservationists in 1897 with the stated goal of saving Yellowstone National Park.

The club�s membership is limited to 100 regular members. In addition, the group invites a small number (currently 65) in the "professional" category. These are individuals who are viewed by the membership to play key roles in wildlife and conservation issues across North America. Thomas joined the group January 1, 2002.

"Christine�s wealth of experience in conservation education and demonstration programs will be invaluable to the Boone and Crockett Club�s work in these areas. Her proven leadership skills coupled with her enthusiasm for her work are key elements that are required in today�s conservation arena. She will be a wonderful addition to our small cadre of volunteers who are working to perpetuate our wildlife cultural heritage and the wildlife and wild places that are integral to this effort," said George Bettas, executive director of the Boone and Crockett Club.

The club promotes the guardianship and provident management of big game and associated wildlife in North America and advocates the highest standards of fair chase and sportsmanship in all aspects of big game hunting, in order that this resource may survive and prosper in its natural habitats.

Thomas has served the CNR as professor since 1989 and is the founder of Becoming An Outdoors Woman, an international effort piloted in 1991 that provides educational programming to help women learn shooting, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor skills. From 1980 to 1989 she served as assistant to retired Dean Dan Trainer and she became associate dean for academic affairs under CNR Dean Victor Phillips in 2000.

She serves on the board of directors of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and is secretary of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Foundation Board. She serves on two committees of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and has won numerous national and state recognitions, including the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award and Budweiser Outdoorsman of the Year. The Wisconsin Outdoor Journal named Thomas one of the 20 most influential people in conservation in Wisconsin in the 20th Century.

Thomas received her bachelor of science degree in biology from Central Michigan University in 1972, a master of science degree in natural resources from UWSP in 1979, and her Ph.D. in land resources from UW-Madison in 1989.

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tmiller/vc/boone and crockett