5/11/2012
 

College of Natural Resources recognizes award recipients

Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., and James Kurth, chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, along with faculty members, supporters and retirees, were recognized May 7 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Retirement and Awards Recognition Dinner held in Stevens Point.

The Outstanding Contributor Stakeholder Award was presented to the Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. For 40 years, Golden Sands RC&D has partnered with state and federal government agencies, county governments, municipalities, other conservation groups, grassroots organizations, teachers, farmers, conservationists and others to protect and promote Central Wisconsin’s natural resources.

James Kurth received the 2012 Outstanding Alumnus Award. After graduating with a degree in wildlife management in 1978, Kurth began his career with the U.S. Forest Service on the Wayne National Forest in Ohio. His career with the National Wildlife Refuge System started in 1979 and included posts at five national wildlife refuges across the nation before he was appointed chief last fall.

Fred Bloedorn, Tomahawk, received the Treehaven Award for his volunteer service to UW-Stevens Point’s Treehaven field station. Jim Freiburg of Domtar Paper received the Paper Industry Leadership Award.

Other CNR awards presented include: the Outstanding Teaching Award to Rich Hauer, associate professor of forestry; the Outreach Award to Dennis Yockers, professor of human dimensions of natural resources management; the Outstanding Contributor Staff Award to Scott Johnson, director of the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station; and the Outstanding Professional Service Award to Don Guay, associate professor of paper science and engineering.

Seven retirees were recognized: Jan Harms, associate professor of forestry; John Houghton, associate dean of academic affairs; Bob Newby, Center for Land Use Education; Mike Schuster, Central Wisconsin Environmental Station; Dan Sivek, professor of human dimensions of natural resources management; Dennis Yockers, professor of human dimensions of natural resources management; and Richard Stephens, Water and Environmental Analysis Lab.