Christine Thomas, Dean of the College of Natural Resources at UW-Stevens Point, was awarded the John Macon Award at the 2015 Wisconsin Society of American Foresters annual conference in New London on September 22. The Macon Award recognizes outstanding contributions to Wisconsin forestry.
Christine, a member of SAF since 1985, is known locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally for her firm dedication to science-based policy and management of our forests and other natural resources. She has been a member of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board since 2004, a board member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a board member of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and is currently the deputy chair of the conservation committee of the Boone and Crockett Club. She is also the current vice chair of the Wildlife Hunting Heritage and Conservation Council.
Her support and leadership of the largest undergraduate forestry program in the country kept the UW-Stevens Point program growing while forestry enrollment in many other programs across the country was dropping. A strong commitment to forestry and an integrated natural resource management curriculum, coupled with strict adherence to maintaining a strong field component in forestry and other natural resource programs were key drivers of this success. Christine recognizes the importance of professional development opportunities offered by SAF to students as well as faculty and staff and, in her college-level administrative positions, has supported participation in our professional organization.
