College of Natural Resources

Christine L. Thomas, Dean
Tim Ginnett, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Brian Sloss, Associate Dean for Outreach/Extension/Extramural Grants
Room 100, Trainer Natural Resources Building
Phone: 715-346-4617
Email: cnr@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/cnr

CNR Student Success Center, 180 CNR, 715-346-4081
Bobbi Kubish, Advising/Recruitment Coordinator

Majors in Natural Resources

In the College of Natural Resources, you may work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in any of six disciplines:

Fisheries and Water Resources: In fisheries and water resources you select from options in fisheries, hydrology, 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 the assessment and management of water resources.

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.

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.

Resource Management: Within resource management you may choose from the environmental education/ interpretation, environmental science and management, natural resources planning, resource management law enforcement, wildland fire science, or wildlife education options. Should you choose general resource management, please also complete an appropriate minor to enhance your employment options.

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.

Wildlife Ecology and Management: 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. The curriculum also includes mathematics, biological, physical, and social sciences. When you graduate, you have met the curricular requirements for a certified wildlife biologist as established by The Wildlife Society.

Academic Standards for the College of Natural Resources

You must apply for official acceptance as a College of Natural Resources major before the beginning of your junior year. You must be accepted as a major before you enroll in the Summer Field Experience or internships. Requirements for acceptance to the fisheries and water resources, forestry, resource management (in the human dimensions of natural resource management discipline) or soil and waste resources major are:

Complete 45 university credits.
Have at least a 2.00 grade point average in courses required for the major.
Complete an application to the College of Natural Resources. We will notify you within four weeks of your application, and if accepted will assign an adviser. Certain 300-400 level courses are restricted to approved CNR and/or biology majors. Nonmajors must have written consent of instructor to enroll.
If you are transferring to UW-Stevens Point to major in the College of Natural Resources, Wildlife Ecology excepted, you must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00. To be accepted as a CNR major, complete steps 1-3 above.

Wildlife Ecology is a limited-enrollment major. Please consult the Wildlife Ecology portion of the catalog for admissions and acceptance guidelines specific to that major.

To be retained as a major or minor and to be approved for graduation, you must meet the minimum grade point average established for your discipline in all UW-Stevens Point courses taken within the major or minor (2.75 to student teach in resource management), including transfer courses, regardless of any declaration of academic bankruptcy. Minimum GPA by discipline:
1. 2.0 GPA for paper science and engineering.
2. 2.25 GPA for all majors and minors in the human dimensions of natural resource management discipline with the exception of the Wildland Fire Science option of the Resource Management major.
3. 2.50 GPA for all options of fisheries and water resources, all options of forestry, all options of wildlife ecology, all options of soil and waste resources, and the Wildland Fire Science option of the Resource Management major.

Test-Out and Credit-by-Exam Policy for the College of Natural Resources

The College of Natural Resources offers credit-by-exam for all of its courses. The comprehensive exam for each course will be written and drawn from lecture and/or lab topics normally covered in the course.

If you wish to take an exam for credit, first confer with the CNR associate dean for academic affairs. Then confer with the faculty member who most recently taught the course. The faculty member will notify you in writing with any pertinent information about the exam including the required minimum passing score before you take the exam. You will receive your grade in writing within two weeks after taking the exam. Results will be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar if credit-by-exam is granted. You may take a test-out exam only once.

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, wildland fire science, wildlife, or captive wildlife.

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.

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.

CNR Summer Field Experience

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

If you wish to be exempt from the CNR Summer Field Experience either because of appropriate transfer courses or experience, follow these steps:

Send an appeal for a CNR Summer Field Experience alternative to the CNR associate dean for academic affairs by March 1 of your sophomore year if possible.
Transfer students or others with extenuating circumstances should appeal no later than March 1 of their junior year.
If you postpone an appeal until your senior year, you may have to delay graduation in order to complete the CNR Summer Field Experience requirement.
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 adviser. If you do not have an adviser, the CNR Peer Advising Center can put you in touch with an appropriate person, or you can contact a 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 field techniques in natural resources 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 UW-Stevens Point 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:

Complete the requirements for your BS degree in the College of Professional Studies, or
Complete the requirements for your BS degree in the College of Natural Resources.

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

College Honors - Natural Resources

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 CNR Summer Field Experience.

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, amphitheater, and a complete waterfront. For more information, call 715-824-2428, write the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, 10186 County Road MM, Amherst Junction, WI 54407, or email: cwes@uwsp.edu. Web: www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/cwes/Pages/default.aspx

Schmeeckle Reserve

Schmeeckle Reserve is a 275-acre natural area on campus where you can hike, jog, ski, or just enjoy nature on the miles of wood chipped 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 distinctive natural features of Schmeeckle Reserve. For more information call 715-346-4992, write Schmeeckle Reserve, College of Natural Resources, or email schmeeckle@uwsp.edu. Web: www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/schmeeckle/Pages/home.aspx.

Treehaven Field Station

Treehaven is a natural resource center which meets the needs of the CNR Summer Field Experience. 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 email treehaven@uwsp.edu. Web: www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven