Wisconsin Center for Wildlife

We Are So Glad That You Are Here!

Our mission is to engage students, landowners, professionals and the public in sustainable wildlife management through research, education and outreach.

We collaborate with UW–Extension Forestry and Wildlife to host educational outreach activities for private landowners and the public, provide wildlife management trainings, workshops and online resources for professionals, and support the education and career advancement of students.

The Wisconsin Center for Wildlife (WCW) is made up of four fellows, an outreach specialist and student employees.

Explore the Latest and Upcoming Workshops for Students and Professionals

The Wisconsin Center for Wildlife offers a variety of workshops and seminars designed for students, professionals and wildlife enthusiasts. These sessions provide hands-on learning, expert guidance and opportunities to explore current conservation techniques, research findings and best practices. From practical field skills to engaging discussions on wildlife management, WCW’s educational programs help participants deepen their knowledge and actively contribute to wildlife conservation across Wisconsin

Voices for Conservation in Wisconsin History

2026 WCW Spring Seminar Series

We’re proud to announce the WCW 2026 Spring Seminar Series, “Voices for Conservation in Wisconsin History.”

Wisconsin’s conservation legacy was built by many passionate people, each of whom triumphed over challenges to protect our wildlife and our lands. This speaker series features five seminars about the lives and legacies of some of Wisconsin’s most influential voices in land and wildlife conservation. The people featured in this series who have triumphed over numerous challenges to conserve our wildlife, lands, water, and more. Come and explore the lasting impacts these inspiring people have had on building Wisconsin’s unique conservation legacy.

Thursdays at 5 pm in the Trainer Natural Resources Building, room 170.

Explore the 2026 Seminar Series

Introduction to Raptor Husbandry 2026 – Registration opens soon!

January 16 and 17, 2026

Registration for Introduction to Raptor Husbandry opens November 10! Join falconers and founders of River Valley Raptors Inc., Joe and Abbey Krumrie, in a hands-on introduction to raptor husbandry and falconry. The workshop covers raptor health, care, husbandry, training, housing, and incorporating raptors into environmental education programs. This workshop is open to students and professionals, including zoo personnel, wildlife rehabilitators, individuals interested in falconry, or anyone who works with or plans to work with captive raptors. No previous raptor handling or care experience required.

Learn More and Register

A women showing a deer jaw at a science festival.

Wisconsin Center for Wildlife at DeerFest 2025

August 22 – 24, 2025 in Stevens Point, WI

We hosted an educational table at DeerFest 2025! Our Director, Wildlife Extension Specialist Jason Riddle, Ph.D., and outreach assistant Emma Hessil provided an instructional deer jaw aging activity teaching attendees how to determine the age of white-tailed deer by tooth replacement and wear. We guided attendees through the aging process using real deer jaws alongside step-by-step instructions and illustrations. With materials provided, attendees learned how to place deer into age classes from fawn (less than one year) up to 6.5 years old. The WCW can provide this educational table and an hour-long classroom deer jaw aging activity for youth (6th – 12th grade) and adults by request.

Wisconsin Center for Wildlife at Science by the River

October 18, 2025 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Riverfront Trail, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

We’ve teamed up with the UW-Stevens Point Chapter of The Wildlife Society to provide two informative Discovery Stations at Science by the River hosted by UW-Extension Wood County! Stop by our first table to learn how to age deer by looking at the teeth on real deer jawbones and discover how and why wildlife biologists collect age data from deer in Wisconsin. Just slightly ahead of Bat Week, our second station features an opportunity to learn more about Wisconsin’s eight unique bat species! Learn all about these fascinating mammals and enjoy some coloring pages and crafts for kids!

Advancing Wildlife Conservation Through Research

The Wisconsin Center for Wildlife (WCW) at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is dedicated to advancing wildlife conservation through collaborative research. By partnering with agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, WCW engages students, professionals and the public in studying wildlife populations, habitat management and conservation strategies. Its research initiatives, including the Stephens Foundation Wisconsin Black Bear Research Project, provide hands-on opportunities for students to contribute to meaningful conservation efforts.

Bird Conservation

Wetlands & Waterfowl

Black Bears

Wildlife Health

Find Resources For You!

The Wisconsin Center for Wildlife provides resources, guidance and support to students, professionals and the public to advance wildlife conservation, education and research across the state.

Man touching tree in the Wisconsin nature.

Resources For Landowners and Professionals

Students completing research on black bear cub.

Resources For Students

Explore the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife’s Seminar Series!

Each lecture features compelling themes such as “The Art of Waterbird and Wetland Management.” Discover past streams on YouTube and explore specialized lecture series on topics such as wildlife health, policy and habitat management.

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Get to Know the WCW Team

Led by dedicated professionals and scholars — endowed faculty (“Fellows”) and passionate staff — the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife (WCW) at UW–Stevens Point champions wildlife education, research and public outreach. Our team brings together expertise across bird conservation, wetlands management and wildlife ecology, supported by meaningful endowments and a shared mission to connect communities with sustainable conservation solutions. Dive deeper below to meet each member and learn more about their unique contributions to advancing wildlife stewardship.

Jason Riddle

Douglas R. Stephens Chair in Wildlife and Extension Wildlife Specialist
Wisconsin Center for Wildlife

College of Natural Resources, Outreach and Extension, Wildlife, Wisconsin Center for Wildlife

jason.riddle@uwsp.edu

715-346-3224

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Jennifer Summers

Program Development Specialist
Wisconsin Center for Wildlife
College of Natural Resources

College of Natural Resources, Outreach and Extension, Wisconsin Center for Wildlife

jennifer.summers@uwsp.edu

715-346-3241

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Cady Sartini

Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Wildlife Discipline
Principal Investigator for the Wisconsin Black Bear Project

College of Natural Resources, Wildlife, Wisconsin Center for Wildlife

cady.sartini@uwsp.edu

715-346-4546

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Benjamin Sedinger

Kennedy-Grohne Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation
Associate Professor of Wildlife

College of Natural Resources, Outreach and Extension, Wildlife, Wisconsin Center for Wildlife

ben.sedinger@uwsp.edu

715-346-2529

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Shelli Dubay

Professor of Wildlife
Gerald and Helen Stephens Endowed Professor
Faculty Adviser for the Wildlife Society Gray and Flying Squirrel Projects

College of Natural Resources, Wildlife, Wisconsin Center for Wildlife

shelli.dubay@uwsp.edu

715-346-4178

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The WCW is made up of endowed Wildlife Faculty, referred to as “Fellows”, one staff member, and student employees. The Fellows are Jason Riddle, Ph.D., the Douglas R. Stephens Chair in Wildlife, Ben Sedinger, Ph.D., the Kennedy Grohne Chair in Wetlands and Waterfowl Conservation, Shelli Dubay, Ph.D. the Gerald and Helen Stephens Professor of Wildlife, and Cady Sartini, Ph.D., the Principal Investigator of the Stephens Family Foundation Wisconsin Black Bear Research Project.