Environmental Science
Vanguard Alumni Newsletter
UW-Stout
1 2015
Issue 1,Issue
June 24,
August 2015
The Environmental Science Vanguard Alumni Newsletter is a tool to help our alumni
stay connected with the program and with each other.
The second annual
Advisory Board meeting
was held on March 31,
2015. Valuable feedback
was provided that will help
us continue to improve the
program. For a complete
list of advisory board
members click HERE.
BIO-241 Ornamental Horticulture
BIO-250 Chainsaw Safety Certification Levels 1 and 2
BIO-252 Wildlife Techniques
BIO-260 Intro to Industrial Hygiene & Occupational Health
BIO-323 Dendrology
BIO-325 Aquatic Plant Taxonomy
BIO-342 Arboriculture
BIO-451 Research Methods in Environmental Science
PHYS-458 Applied Watershed Hydrology
Recommendations from the
2014 Advisory Board meeting
led to the development of new
courses for the program.
This has been a successful year.
Great
Numbers!
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22 students graduated during the 2014-2015 academic year
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17 students are completing their internship this summer
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80+ students are enrolled for the fall 2015 semester
New Professional Science
Master’s Program in
Conservation Biology at Stout
Evaluate and understand conservation practices in ecology, biodiversity, fisheries, watershed management, native species and habitats,
global climate change, environmental laws and regulations and natural
resource management.
Jordan Bauer (left) graduated spring 2015
Lyndsey Provos (right) will be starting fall 2015.
Interested in this program?
Contact Dr. Mike Bessert,
Program Director, at
bessertm@uwstout.edu or click
HERE for more information.
Evan Stickles and Amanda Smith,
both May 2015 graduates, received the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the highest nonacademic
honor at University of WisconsinStout. For more information click
HERE.
Clay Olson, May 2015 graduate,
received the Outstanding Student
Research Award. He is pictured
here with Provost Jackie Weissenburger, Chancellor Bob Meyer, Dr.
Amanda Little, and Dean Chuck
Bomar.
The UW-Stout campus garden has been established!
The student garden managers have been
Environmental Science students. For more
information click HERE.
KATIE BROPHY LEE MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED
A new environmental science scholarship
was established in memory of Katie Lee, an
amazing Greensense student who was passionate about protecting the planet. Arthur
Kneeland and Katie's mother will be creating
the selection criteria for this scholarship. The
BIGGEST factor is that a student must
demonstrate accomplishments with local environmental projects . To make a donation to
this scholarship, click HERE.
Dr. Jim Church accepted an Assistant Professor position at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he will teach courses in Ecology, Evolution, Biometry, and Environmental Science.
Jim doesn’t have his new contact information
yet, but if you need to contact him now, click
HERE to view his web page.
Dr. Julie Beston is a wildlife ecologist interested
in how wildlife populations respond to human
activities and management. Originally from St.
Louis, MO, Julie earned undergraduate degrees in mathematics and biology at Truman
State University. She then went on to study
wildlife biology at the University of Montana,
graduating with her PhD in December,
2010. Since then she’s spent time teaching as
a visiting professor and conducting research as
a post-doc. Her research has included investigating the impacts of hunting on black bear
populations, assessing alternative strategies for reducing nuisance Canada goose populations, and exploring the potential nationwide impacts of wind energy development on birds
and bats in the US. When not working, Julie enjoys hiking, camping, climbing, and just
spending time outside with her husband and 6-year-old daughter.
Another great way to stay connected!!
Please “Like” the Environmental Science
Facebook Page HERE
We would love to feature you in our next Environmental Science Vanguard
Alumni Newsletter. Please send an email to jamesk@uwstout.edu with the
following:

Short description of your job, the types of projects you are working on, and
anything else that you would like to share with other alumni (married,
children, etc…)
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A high resolution photo of you; a work-related photo would be perfect.
Brett Eliason: I work for Stantec Consulting Services as an environmental technician. I will be working on the Enbridge oil spill site in Marshall, Michigan this summer. I'll be traveling out there for a
week or two at a time and our company is studying
the impacts of the spill site in wetlands around the
Kalamazoo river area. We will be using Trimble GPS
units to map impacted areas and I'll be working with
a botanist to study the impacts the oil spill had on
the plants of the area. I also have been doing some
restoration work with the restoration crew at Stantec
the past couple weeks monitoring prairie sites and
wetland sites. After the growing season data is collected, we will be developing reports this
winter and entering all the data. I have used a lot of skills from the curriculum at Stout.
Lots of sampling methods and they were surprised that I had classes in a variety of different things such as GIS and so many plant classes. It's a great company to work for and I
get to do some traveling. They have offices all around the world but I am located down in
Madison.
Amanda Smith: Summer intern with the
USFWS St. Croix Wetland Management
District in New Richmond, WI. This fall she
will be starting her M.S. at UW-Madison in
the Water Resource Management program.
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Karli Becher: I have accepted a temporary position with the Bureau of Land
Management in Klamath Falls, Oregon. My job title is botany technician and I will be
working in a crew with 3 other people.
Kelly Boberg: Environmental Health Specialist for the City of Bloomington, MN. I
still have my two four-legged sons (my dogs, Duncan and Wylee). I plan on travelling
wherever the job world takes me.
Adam Cameron: I am gainfully employed as a Project Assistant with Kjolhaug
Environmental Services in Shorewood, MN. I do wetland delineations, technical writing, plant ID, and GIS work.
Sierra Day-Wallace: Environmental Educator with St. Croix Montessori School in
Stillwater, MN
Jonathan Dahlen: My job title is Plant Health Care Technician and I work for
Rainbow Tree Care which is located in Minnetonka. I'm currently working on fertilizing
trees and also insecticide and pesticide applications for various trees and shrubs
around the twin cities. It's a little different then the classes I took in school, but I am
enjoying the job so far!
Allie Doose: Crew Leader with Sargent's Nursery in Red Wing, MN
Jeff Jackson: Water Resources Specialist with the Department of Natural Resources in Park Falls, WI
Patrick Jenkins: Organic Farm Intern with Jen Ehr Family Farms in Sun Prairie,
WI
Travis Knudsen: Plant Care Technician with Willow Creek Golf Course in Rochester, MN. One of his duties is the management of invasive plant species.
Jessica Lusk: Crew Leader with Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa in Brainerd, MN
Amanda Mallet: Registered Sanitarian — Health Inspector for City of Minnetonka,
MN
Tyler Mathiesen: Commercial Herbicide Applicator with 4 Control in Menomonie,
WI
Ci Moua: I plan to work for a federal or state government agency depending on
the job experience I have over the next few years.
Clay Olson: Crew Leader for the Chippewa Moraine Ephemeral Ponds Project in
Menomonie, WI
Lyndsey Provos: This fall 2015, she will start the Professional Science Master's
(PSM) in Conservation Biology at UW-Stout. This summer she is working as a Student
Lab Technician and Challenge Course Leader at UW-Stout
Max Samuelson: Right now I am employed by the City of Burnsville, MN as a
Natural Resource Assistant. My duties range from terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic
plant surveys, herbicide application, lake monitoring and everything in between. A
large majority of the work is in the field, with small portion of our time organizing the
data we collect in the field.
Kamron Stalsberg: My father brother and I opened up a new business called
"Bug Stompers". We are a commercial pest control business that keeps ants, mosquitos, Asian beetles and other insects from invading homes
Evan Stickles: Menomonie Farmers Market Manager - WEST Cap in Menomonie,
WI
Jannell Sworski: I hope to eventually be a self-employed conservation consultant.
Craig Warminski: Dairy Sanitarian with the State of Wisconsin- Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in Tomah, WI
Allie Gams: Interpretive
Naturalist with Three rivers
park district at Richardson
Nature Center in Bloomington, MN
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Michelle Hanson: Peace Corps
Volunteer, Community Education
Conservationist, in Panama
Chelsey Baranczyk: Botany Wetland Technician for Forest County Potawatomi
in Crandon, WI
Brittny Douglas: Environmental Technician with the City of Minneapolis, MN
Henry Hansen: GIS Technician with Park County Local Government in Livingston, MT
Shelby Kilibarda: Conservation Core Crew Member with Conservation Corps in
St. Paul, MN
Andrea Krueger: Teaching Assistant, Kinesiology Masters Program at the University of Minnesota
Ryan Veith: Welder for Huffcutt Concrete in Chippewa Falls, WI
Sheng Vue: Married Blia Yang summer of 2014. They are living near Maple
Grove, MN
Callie Bernier: Spring
2015, graduated from the
Master of Landscape Architecture program in EdinJordan Bauer: Graduated May burgh, Scotland
2015 with a Professional Science Master's (PSM) in Conservation from the University of
Wisconsin- Stout
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Katelyn Hain: Agriculture and Natural
Resources Agent for
the North Dakota
Extension Service in
Walsh County, ND
Youzhu Wang: Environmental Specialist I with
Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
in Tallahassee, FL
Adam Adank: Zoning Technician and Inspector for Buffalo County Zoning Department in Alma, WI. My main job duties include processing sanitary permit applications, driveway permits and collecting their appropriate fees. To issue sanitary permits
or Private On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS), I review soil and site
evaluations from certified soil testers and design plans from plumbers. I also inspect
the POWTS design in the field to make sure setbacks, piping pitch, and system elevations match the design plans on paper. I also maintain the county's permit tracking
software for keeping track of all electronic copy permit applications and making sure
they are linked to the correct parcels. Part of my job duties also include updating
county ordinances to be reviewed by the zoning committee. I sometimes help with
issuing zoning permits and conditional use permits. Answering questions from the public and sitting in on board of adjustment meetings are also part of my responsibilities.
Josh Costa: I have teamed up with my brother and we now have a company together doing property management and tree service. My formal title is Land Management Specialist. The company is Costa Property Maintenance and is based out of
Hartland, WI
Megen Hines: I am a Recycling Specialist for St. Croix County, WI. I'm married
with a son, Owen-3 years, and just welcomed son, Brody-6 weeks, in May
Aaron Johnson: Engineering Technician II for the City of Minneapolis, MN
Kylie Krecker: Laboratory Technician at Source Energy Services in Cameron, WI
Lucas Lee: Machinist Apprentice with Voyager Tool and Design in Amery, WI
Alexa Levie: Married Lewis Brigman, Stout Grad, on October 4, 2014.
Caitlin Sandin: Restoration Technician with Great River Greening in St. Paul, MN
Nathan Stobb: Regulatory Compliance Manager at Source Energy Services in
Cameron, WI
Travis Jones: I'm a certified arborist and crew
leader for Treecology out of Portland, Oregon. I am
the lead climber, preforming pruning and removals of
trees using a wide array of techniques used in arboriculture. I also manage the crew making sure the job
gets done in a safe and timely manner. Answering any
questions the homeowner may have is also a crucial
part of the job. When I'm not climbing trees, I spend
my free time exploring the many natural wonders of
the Pacific Northwest.
Camille Thorson: She’s been living in Nederland, Colorado and focusing on ecological restoration in Boulder County. She keeps busy volunteering on the Nederland Sustainability Advisory
Board, working at a geologically themed science
and nature store, and making time for adventures
around the west and participating in winter and
summer sports. Eager to make a career in ecological restoration using sustainable practices.
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Andrew Dumask: Radiographer with Acuren Inspection in Winneconne, WI,
where he just bought a home .
Charles Erickson: Certified arborist and foreman with Swingle Lawn, Tree and
Landscape Care in Denver, CO
Aimee Finley: Lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Currently a PADI dive master and
volunteer at the Assiniboine Park Zoo
Andrew Jeske: Project Coordinator for Q3 Contracting in Little Canada, MN
Adam Johnson: Owner of Northland Testing in Port Wing, WI
Adrian Kersten: Environmental Technician with Satori Group in Anchorage, AK
Jake Pulfer: I am currently working for Integrated Restorations out of Belleville
WI, as a habitat restoration crew member. I truly feel I could not have gotten where I
am today without the support of the outstanding professors and staff of the Environmental science program. Especially since I have been able to work in places such as
the Florida Keys and Guantanamo Bay Cuba.
Blia Yang: Graduated with a M.S. in Risk Control in December 2014. Currently
working as a Quality Engineer with Sil-Pro Medical Manufacturing Solutions in Twin
Cities, MN
Steve Zweber: Project Assistant with the Alameda County Resource Conservation Service in Livermore, CA
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This photo was taken this past spring at one of
the local cherry blossom festivals not far from
where I stay. The location Is just outside of
Jirisan National Park. The shrubs in the background are green tea which is actually a fairly
uncommon crop in Korea.
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Mark Baumgartner: I am currently an English as a Foreign Language teacher at a Boys Public Middle School in
South Korea. I am employed by the Jeollanamdo Language Program (JLP). I live in a beautiful coastal city
called Yeosu; situated on the Southern coast of South Korea. The city is a population of 360,000 and I work at its
oldest middle school. The student body is 630 students
and I see each and every student each week. In my free
time I ride my bike, hike the numerous mountains surrounding the peninsula, play in the sea and take evening
walks with my cat.
Hope Larsen: I currently work for a tea company out of Boulder, Colorado
called The Tea Spot as their Graphic Designer. http://theteaspot.com Although I am
not directly using my Environmental Science degree, I do get to explore some amazing
landscape out here and document it with photography, which has lead to my blog The
Joyful Jaunt. http://www.thejoyfuljaunt.com
Nina Borchowiec: Senior TEM Analyst for Asbestos TEM Laboratories, Inc. in
Berkeley, CA.