Majors

Minors

Graduate studies

Summer camp

International experiences

Teaching

Honors

Graduation requirements

Field stations

Curriculum in Natural Resources
Please refer to the General Degree Requirements section of this catalog for information on the courses to take in order to earn a bachelor of science degree. In the Graduate section of this catalog you will find information that will be useful if you wish to pursue a master of science degree in the College of Natural Resources.

Majors in Natural Resources
In the College of Natural Resources, you may work toward a bachelor of science degree in any of six disciplines:

1. Fisheries and Water Resources: In fisheries and water resources you select from options in fisheries, watershed management or water resources. These prepare you for a career or graduate study in fishery science or management, aquatic biology, hydrology, hydrogeology (groundwater), laboratory analysis of water and environmental samples, aquatic toxicology, and he assessment and management of water resources.
2. Forestry: In the forestry program you integrate the study of forestry with the study of other resource disciplines, so that you have a solid background for forest ecosystem management. Through your forestry degree you prepare for management positions with public agencies or private industry. Select one of these five options: forest management, forest administration and utilization, urban forestry, forest ecosystem restoration and management, or forest recreation. The Society of American Foresters accredits this program.
3. Paper Science and Engineering: In the paper science program you become well versed in the physical and engineering sciences and learn the relationships among these disciplines. You also prepare yourself to apply what you have learned as an industrial scientist or engineer and ultimately as a manager in the paper industry or an allied industry.
4. Resource Management: Within resource management you may choose from environmental education/interpretation, land use planning, youth programming and camp management, or general resource management options. Should you choose general resource management, please also complete an appropriate minor to enhance your employability.
5. Soil and Waste Resources: Three options are available in this major. The soil science and soil and land management options blend coursework in soils with courses in the basic sciences and other natural resources disciplines. The waste management option blends coursework in waste management, the basic sciences, and natural resources. When you complete these options you can meet requirements for a soil scientist as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture and for a soil or waste resource manager for private or public sector employment.
6. Wildlife Ecology: In this curriculum you integrate the study of wildlife ecology and management with other resource disciplines as you prepare yourself for graduate school or a management position.  Or you may complete the option in wildlife ecology information and education (not for teacher certification) if your primary interest is to be a wildlife educator/interpreter. When you graduate with either option, you have met the curricular requirements for a certified wildlife biologist as established by The Wildlife Society.

Official Acceptance as a Major
You must be accepted as a major before you enroll in summer camp, internships, or the European environmental studies seminar. To be accepted, you must have completed 45 university credits and have a 2.00 grade point average in courses required for your major.

Minors in Natural Resources
In the College of Natural Resources you may minor in:

• Conservation biology
• Environmental communication
• Environmental education/ interpretation
• Environmental education for elementary/middle school teachers
• Environmental law/enforcement
• Forest recreation
• Forestry
• International resource management
• Land use planning
• Resource management
• Soil science
• Water resources
• Wildlife ecology
• Captive wildlife
• Youth programming and camp management

Graduate Programs in CNR
If you qualify, you may work toward a master of science degree in natural resources with an emphasis in any of these areas: environmental education/interpretation, fisheries, soil and waste resources, water resources, wildlife management, forest ecology and management, urban forestry, forest business, international resource management, environmental resources extension programming, land use planning, or youth programming. For details, see the CNR graduate coordinator.

Summer Camp
Most CNR majors require participation in a six-week summer camp or the eight-week European environmental seminar after you complete your sophomore year. Through the field experience you gain at summer camp in forestry, soils, water, and wildlife, you prepare yourself for the intensive studies of your junior and senior years.

If you wish to be exempted from summer camp either because of appropriate transfer courses or experience, follow these steps:

1. Send an appeal for a summer camp alternative to the CNR associate dean for academic affairs by March 1 of your sophomore year if possible.
2. Transfer students or others with extenuating circumstances should appeal no later than March 1 of their junior year.
3. If you postpone an appeal until your senior year, you may have to delay graduation in order to complete the summer camp requirement.
4. The appeal package should include:

1. The appeal letter with reasons and suggested alternative activities.
2. A copy of your degree progress report
3. A letter of support from your advisor.  If you do not have an advisor, the CNR Peer Advising Center can put you in touch with an appropriate person or you can contact the faculty member directly and request assistance.

International Experiences
The College of Natural Resources offers a variety of opportunities to study abroad.  Our European environmental studies seminar takes students to Germany, Poland and several other European countries to provide an opportunity to study resource management issues.  This experience in conjunction with a semester-long seminar and a two-week field course at our Central Wisconsin Environmental Station can substitute for the summer camp requirement in the college.  In addition, CNR students can take advantage of opportunities to study in Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.  These experiences have a specific environmental studies focus and are in addition to the many international programs offered through UWSP International Programs.

Teaching in Natural Resources Fields
If you seek a certificate to teach at the secondary school level with a major offered in the College of Natural Resources, you may either:

1. Complete the general degree requirements for your B.S. degree in the College of Professional Studies, or
2. Complete the general degree requirements for your B.S. degree in the College of Natural Resources.

See the Education section in this catalog for complete information on your education requirements.

College Honors
College of Natural Resources majors who attain a semester grade point average of 3.5 or above are placed on the Dean's List and recognized for their accomplishment.

Graduation Requirements
To graduate from the College of Natural Resources, you must achieve the minimum grade point required for your major (varies by discipline) in the courses required for your major, including collateral courses and summer camp.

Field Stations
Central Wisconsin Environmental Station
At the Environmental Station on Sunset Lake you can gain valuable practical experience in natural resources and environmental education while you earn college credit. Located 17 miles east of the UW-Stevens Point campus, the Environmental Station is sponsored by the UWSP Foundation and the College of Natural Resources. The station covers over 300 acres of diverse landscape, including such ecological communities as coniferous and deciduous forests, ponds, and kettle lakes. It also has classrooms, dining facilities, dormitory and log cabin housing for youth and adult groups, nature trails, a challenge course, amphitheatre and a complete waterfront.

For more information, call 715-824-2428, write the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, 10186 Highway MM, Amherst Junction, WI 54407, or e-mail: cwes@uwsp.edu or go to www.uwsp.edu/cnr/cwes.

Schmeeckle Reserve
The Schmeeckle Reserve is a 275-acre natural area on campus where you can hike, jog, ski, or just enjoy nature on the miles of woodchipped trails and boardwalks. Many university classes are taught here. At the public visitor center you can gain experience to apply toward a major in forest recreation, environmental education/ interpretation, or other natural resource fields or get involved in any number of artistic or outdoor projects. This building houses the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame that includes exhibits on the distinctive natural features of the Schmeeckle Reserve.

For more information, call 715-346-4992, write Schmeeckle Reserve, College of Natural Resources, e-mail schmeeckle@uwsp.edu or go to www.uwsp.edu/cnr/schmeeckle.

Treehavenn- Field Station
Treehaven is a natural resource center which meets the needs of the CNR summer camp. Here, 80 miles north of Stevens Point, near Tomahawk, you live and study in a modern facility, yet have access to over 1,200 acres of diverse habitat for natural resource education and management demonstrations. Treehaven's classroom center, dining lodge, and living centers are fully winterized and host many conferences, courses, and workshops. As an undergraduate or graduate student, you may take courses on such subjects as winter ecology and wild edibles. Treehaven is sponsored by the UWSP Foundation and the College of Natural Resources.

For more information, call 715-453-4106, write the Director of Treehaven, W2540 Pickerel Creek Avenue, Tomahawk, WI 54487, or e-mail treehaven@uwsp.edu or on the web at www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven.