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Wisconsin Center for Wildlife

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Attend the WCW Seminar Series

Join us for engaging talks that bring together scientists, students and the public to explore current issues in wildlife ecology, management and conservation. The Wisconsin Center for Wildlife Seminar Series highlights expert perspectives, fosters dialogue and supports learning across disciplines. All seminars are free and open to the public.

Voices for Conservation in Wisconsin History

2026 Spring Seminar Series

Where have we been, and where are we going? Wisconsin’s conservation legacy was built by many passionate people, each of whom triumphed over challenges to protect our wildlife and our lands. The 2026 WCW Spring Seminar Series features five seminars on the lives and legacies of some of Wisconsin’s most influential voices in land and wildlife conservation. Come explore the lasting impacts these inspiring people have had on building Wisconsin’s unique conservation legacy.

All Seminars are held Thursdays, 5 pm, in the Trainer Natural Resources Building, Room 170 on the UW-Stevens Point campus.
See the link below for the speaker line up and dates!

See the 2026 Speaker Schedule

Watch our Latest Seminar

Professor of History, Neil Prendergast, Ph.D. joined us on March 5 with his seminar: Gaylord Nelson: A Life In Politics.

Gaylord Nelson, U.S. Senator from 1963 to 1981, brought conservation to the forefront of American politics. In helping found Earth Day, he was a bridge between the conservation and environmental eras. Learn more about how Nelson navigated his career in light of the nation’s changing environmental concerns in the 1960s and 1970s.

Our presenter, Neil Prendergast Ph.D. has taught environmental history here at UW-Stevens Point since 2011. His current courses focus on environmental justice, environmental history, and modern U.S. history. His most recent research project examines the central Wisconsin activism against a nuclear power plant in Rudolph during the 1970s and a high-level nuclear waste repository in the Wolf River watershed in the 1980s.

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Living With Wildlife

A Feature Series

The Living with Wildlife Seminar Series at UW–Stevens Point offers a unique opportunity to explore the dynamic relationship between humans and wildlife. Part of the Wildlife 150 course, this series features expert-led discussions on topics such as wetland habitat conservation, human-wildlife coexistence and the integration of cultural perspectives in wildlife management.

Click here to watch series

Missed Something?

Check Out Past Seminar Series Recordings

Each year, the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife presents the UW–Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Seminar Series, highlighting a central theme that sparks discussion and learning among students, faculty and the broader community. Previous series have explored topics ranging from climate change and waterfowl ecology to Great Lakes fisheries and wildlife, diversity and inclusion in natural resources, forest management and wolf ecology.

This Series explores the strong overlap between wildlife art and the science of conserving waterfowl, shorebirds and their habitats. Many artists celebrate the beauty of wildlife with their creations – drawings, paintings, decoy carvings, and more. Waterbird conservation is strongly tied to revenues generated from the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Federal Duck Stamp and state-level art contests. ​Join us to learn more about the history and art form of decoy carving, how decoys are used in science, how Duck Stamp funds are used at the federal and state level to protect water birds, and hear about the experience of an award-winning wildlife artist who regularly competes in the Federal Duck Stamp contest.

 

 ​This Seminar Series has concluded. Recordings of each seminar are available below, or on our YouTube Playlist for this Series.
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In Spring 2024, the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife’s seminar series delved into the history, impact, and future of landmark environmental policies that have shaped natural resource management. Experts from various fields discussed pivotal legislation such as the Pittman-Robertson Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act, exploring their evolution and ongoing significance. The series also highlighted the real-world applications of these policies by nonprofits and state agencies, offering insights into their practical implications.

 

Click here to watch all recorded presentations.

In Spring 2023, the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife’s seminar series spotlighted the multifaceted world of black bear conservation, featuring experts from Wisconsin, Florida, Missouri, and Indigenous communities. Topics ranged from state and tribal management strategies to cultural perspectives and innovative policies, offering a comprehensive look at how science, community, and policy intersect in managing Wisconsin’s largest carnivore.

Click here to watch all recorded presentations.

In Spring 2022, the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife’s seminar series spotlighted the multifaceted world of natural resources policy in Wisconsin. Presenters—from legislators and DNR officials to tribal leaders and conservation advocates—shared insights into how laws, public input, and community engagement shape the state’s environmental future. Topics ranged from depolarizing wildlife discourse to enhancing water quality policy and facilitating public participation in conservation decisions.

 

Click here to watch all recorded presentations.

 

In Spring 2021, the College of Natural Resources celebrated its 50-year legacy with the “Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence” virtual seminar series—featuring alumni from every CNR discipline sharing how their fields have evolved and where they’re headed. Talks ranged from a wildlife ecologist’s “triumph of work ethic” to insights from forestry, fisheries, paper science, and the dean’s vision for CNR’s future. It was a meaningful blend of reflection, innovation, and inspiration for the next generation.

 

Click here to watch all recorded presentations.

In Spring 2020, the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife spotlighted the urgent issue of climate change with an interdisciplinary seminar series featuring natural resources experts—from UW-Madison and the DNR to the U.S. Forest Service and Indigenous leadership—sharing insights on ecosystem resilience, warming impacts on trout and forests, and culturally grounded adaptation strategies. The series concluded with a powerful perspective on wildlife policy and conservation from Texas A&M’s Perry Barboza.

 

Click here to watch all recorded presentations.

In Spring 2019, the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife launched the “Expanding Our Reach in Natural Resources Management” series, featuring bold talks from community builders to conservation storytellers—highlighting equity, Indigenous perspectives, and the next generation of environmental leaders. Presenters ranged from Oregon State’s Dana Sanchez on diversity in wildlife fields, to Jon Greendeer sharing Indigenous insights, and ended with UW-Stevens Point’s Dean Christine Thomas inspiring future conservation champions.

 

Click here to watch all recorded presentations.

In Spring 2018, the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife’s colloquium brought together Midwest wildlife experts for free, public talks on topics ranging from Wisconsin fish diversity and sturgeon ecology to pelagic fish habitat, black bear landscape ecology, predator reintroduction, and the pioneering work of Richard Crossley. Whether you’re fascinated by the deep-water world of lake sturgeon or curious about bold strategies in wildlife conservation, this series offered something for every nature enthusiast.

 

Click here to watch all recorded presentations.

UW–Stevens Point’s 2017 Spring Colloquium dove into the world of ducks, wetlands, and people, with leading biologists unpacking big conservation wins and challenges. From the migratory bird treaty’s 100-year legacy to the future of waterfowl habitats, this series revealed how science, management, and hunters all shape the landscapes we share.

Click here to view the entire series.