Kevin Mello, a wildlife biologist for Fort McCoy in Sparta, will be the first speaker in a series of talks featuring the growing concern over invasive species in Wisconsin.

The colloquium series begins Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 4 p.m. in CNR Room 170 and is co-sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s (UWSP) College of Natural Resources (CNR) and the Biology Department in the College of Letters and Science.

Mello has been at Fort McCoy since 1978 and currently works with the directorate of plans, training, mobilization and security at the fort. The major emphasis of his program the past dozen years has been invasive plant control. He also is involved in deer management and habitat projects involving grassland birds, wetlands, oak-savanna forest tracks and other natural areas. He received his bachelor�s degree from the University of Massachusetts and his master�s from New Mexico State University. His emphasis of study was wildlife and fisheries sciences.

The colloquium series continues Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 4 p.m., with Peter Murray, chairman of the Governor�s Council on Invasive Species. On Wednesday, March 1, 4 p.m., Ronald Martin of the Department of Natural Resource�s Water Section will be the guest speaker. Later in the month on Wednesday, March 29, Susan "Kelly" Kearns of the DNR will discuss plant invasive species. On April 5 Brock Woods of the DNR/Extension will give a lecture. The final program on April 19 features Jane Cummings Carlson also of the DNR.

Stan Szczytko, professor of limnology, is coordinating this spring�s colloquium.

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