Rick Wilke, University of Wisconsin System Distinguished Professor of Environmental Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), has joined the board of directors of the Wisconsin Stewardship Network (WSN) based in Madison.

Wilke, an international leader in the field of environmental education, began his career in the College of Natural Resources at UWSP in 1975.

The WSN began in 1995 when Wisconsin�s Legislature and former Governor Tommy Thompson witnessed the dismantling of the Department of Justice Public Intervenor�s Office. Concerned citizens from throughout Wisconsin saw a need for a union of conservationists, hunters, fishers and environmentalists to renew Wisconsin�s leading role in both state and national conservation issues.

Wilke, whose two-year term started on Feb. 14, joins the board as an at-large member. At UWSP he directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency�s (EPA) National Environmental Education Training Program. As lead coordinator, Wilke oversees the efforts of 11 national partners who provide environmental education training to tens of thousands of educators every year.

He is the recipient of numerous awards including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Distinguished Service Award, as well as awards for outstanding contributions from the Soil Conservation Society, Izaak Walton League, Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education, Wisconsin Land Conservation Association and Wisconsin Federation of Garden Clubs. His campus awards include Excellence in Teaching, University Service and University Scholar Awards.

A native of Manitowoc, Wilke holds two degrees from UWSP and a doctorate from Southern Illinois University.

For more information on Wilke and WSN�s Board of Directors, check the Network�s Web site at www.wsn.org.

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