Work at the Interface of Wildlife Species, the Environment, and Humans
A Wildlife Ecology and Management degree pairs well with the following minors:
- captive wildlife, focusing on managing wildlife in zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and other captive wildlife facilities
- conservation biology, featuring courses in ecology and invasive species
- conservation law enforcement, combining criminology, law, and ethics with specialized training in environmental enforcement
WHAT TO EXPECT
Courses focus on the problem-solving and scientific skills you need to understand the ecological interactions affecting wildlife management, including game, non-game, endangered, and invasive species. In addition, we offer practical, hands-on experiences inside and outside the classroom. Our program also qualifies you for a wildlife biology certification by The Wildlife Society.
Wildlife ecology and management graduates typically work in federal, state, and private management organizations with positions such as:
- Wildlife Refuge Manager
- Habitat Manager
- Waterfowl Biologist
- Endangered Species Manager
- Non-game Biologist
- Game Biologist
- Conservation Biologist
- Habitat Restoration Professional
- Biologist
- Wildlife Rehabilitator
- Zookeeper
- Migratory Bird Coordinator
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
Discover your passions, build your resume, and make friends along the way! Whether it is joining a student organization, working at one of our centers, or participating in research at one of our three field stations, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved.
- Join the student chapters of The Wildlife Society, Ducks Unlimited, or any of our other 200+ student organizations housed within Campus Activities and Student Engagement.
- Our Wisconsin Center for Wildlife and Center for Watershed Science and Education provide opportunities for you to work side-by-side with faculty and staff, conducting scientific research and performing laboratory analysis.
- Present your research findings at professional meetings, conferences, and our annual Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium.
- Read the CNR Reporter, a weekly newsletter, for information on upcoming presentations, student organization meeting times, and other important happenings on and around campus.
GAIN EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Prepare for your career with additional hands-on experiences in all areas of natural resource management during a required summer field experience. You can choose between our six-week, hands-on summer field experience at our Treehaven field station or on-campus, or participate in our European Environmental Seminar and learn how European natural resource management compares to the United States.
Summer internships and jobs are another great way to build your resume. We make them easy to find through our partnership with Handshake.
MEET YOUR FACULTY AND STAFF
Shelli Dubay
- Professor of Wildlife
- Faculty Adviser for the Wildlife Society Gray and Flying Squirrel Projects
Marie Perkins
- Assistant Professor
- Wildlife
- College of Natural Resources
Jason Riddle
- Gerald and Helen Stephens Professor of Wildlife
- College of Natural Resources
Cady Sartini
- Associate Professor and Principal Investigator for the Wisconsin Black Bear Project
- College of Natural Resources
Benjamin Sedinger
- Kennedy-Grohne Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation
- Assistant Professor of Wildlife
- College of Natural Resources
Christopher Yahnke
- Professor of Wildlife
- Coordinator of Wildlife Discipline
- Curator of Birds and Mammals, UW-Stevens Point Museum of Natural History
- College of Natural Resources