{"id":3976,"date":"2016-02-16T16:15:03","date_gmt":"2016-02-16T21:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/?page_id=3976"},"modified":"2026-06-11T10:59:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T14:59:22","slug":"alums-in-the-news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/alums\/alums-in-the-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Alums in the News"},"content":{"rendered":"

海角社区 Legislature bucked national trends to protect wildlife (Gundrum ’19)<\/a><\/h3>\nAugust 5, 2025 – by Opinion Contributor, Bangor Daily News\nThese are challenging times for conservationists who are dealing with a federal government and Congress emboldened to weaken federal environmental laws and slash funding and staffing levels at natural resource agencies. Thankfully, there remains a strong will to protect 海角社区\u2019s environment in our state legislature.\n

DEC launches new citizen science wildlife monitoring program (Fuller ’06, ’99)<\/a><\/h3>\nJul 8, 2025 – East Aurora Bee\nThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University recently announced the launch a new citizen science program \u2014 Snapshot NY \u2014 that allows the public to participate in wildlife monitoring through the deployment of trail cameras, while helping improve the way the DEC monitors and manages more than a dozen wildlife species.\n

In Memory of Richard Nutter Smith ‘ 58<\/a><\/h3>\nMay 20, 2025 – Legacy.com\nRichard Nutter Smith of Vienna, Virginia, passed peacefully at home on May 16, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy Shoemaker Smith for 65 years, and loving father of Gretchen Burke (Paul), Cynthia Loftin (James), Jennifer Smith (Parris), and Hilary Lambrecht (Bruce). Survivors include ten grandchildren, Timothy (Maggie), Kelly, Jack, Steven, Daniel, Haley (Timothy), Anna, Stephanie, Samuel, Isaac and great-granddaughter Penny. Also surviving is sister Marcia Mink (Roy) of Franktown, VA and many nieces, nephews and cousins.\n

In Memory of Paul O’Neil ’74<\/a><\/h3>\nApril 23, 2025 – Legacy.com\nLeyden, MA – Paul M. O’Neil died on April 23 at home in Leyden during a short illness. Paul was born in Fall River on February 21, 1949, the son of Paul Francis O’Neil and Dorothy Muriel (Davis) O’Neil.\n

Elizabeth Brennan (’25): Outstanding Graduating Student<\/a><\/h3>\nApril 29, 2025 – U海角社区 News\nElizabeth Brennan of West Chester, Pennsylvania, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. She is a wildlife ecology major and member of the Honors College, through which she wrote a thesis titled \u201cPhenological changes in Arctic and Common Terns across 海角社区\u2019s coastal islands.\u201d\n\n\n

In memory of Douglas Vollmer ’53<\/a><\/h3>\n \n\nJanuary 16, 2025 – Legacy.com\nDouglas Albert Vollmer was born in New Rochelle, NY, on September 16, 1930, to Walter E.B. and Amy E. Olive (Griffin) Vollmer. He peacefully passed away from kidney failure on January 16, 2025, under the compassionate care of the 海角社区 Veterans’ Home.\n\n\n

U海角社区 leads international team to study, conserve woodcock (Clements, Fish ’21)<\/a><\/h2>\nNovember 22, 2024 – U海角社区 News The American woodcock is a well known shorebird found across eastern North America. Each year, they migrate from overwintering locations in the southeastern U.S. to breeding locations across the northeastern and midwestern U.S. and southeastern Canada.\n

Mark McCollough (’81) receives \u201cDing\u201d Darling Memorial Award<\/a><\/h2>\nSeptember 6, 2024 – by Megan Radk, The Wildlife Society Mark McCollough, a longtime biologist and artist, has earned the Jay N. \u201cDing\u201d Darling Memorial Award for Wildlife Stewardship through Art. His artistic abilities have been raising awareness for wildlife conservation in 海角社区 for over 35 years.\n

Roger Cook (’77) of \u2018This Old House\u2019 Dies At 70<\/a><\/h2>\nAugust 23, 2024 – Marc Berman, Senior Contributor – Forbes\nRoger Cook, who was a garden and landscape contractor on the veteran PBS home renovation series This Old House, <\/em>died on August 21 after an extended illness. He was 70.\n

Ece’s (’24) Honors College Journey<\/a><\/h2>\nAugust 2024 – University of 海角社区 YouTube channel Honors College senior, Ece Yeldan, describes her time in the U海角社区 Honors College and explains how her decision to join Honors has shaped her college experience and beyond.\n

Meet the Educators Turning Montezuma Audubon Center Visitors Into Nature Enthusiasts (Ives ’23)<\/a><\/h2>\nJuly 11, 2024 – New York Audubon\nAmanda Ives and Teresa Pietrusinski joined the Montezuma Audubon Center\u2019s education team in late 2023, and they\u2019ve been putting their skills and passion to work ever since! From running programs to leading field trips, they\u2019re helping all of the Center\u2019s visitors grow their passion for the outdoors.\n

In memory of Susan Peck Olcott ’81<\/a><\/h2>\nJuly 3, 2024 – Legacy.com\nA child and student of the Nature, Susan Peck Olcott, 65, passed away, with her husband by her side, on May 2, 2024, at Mon Health Medical Center.\n

Heat waves are not good for cold-water fish species (Whittum<\/strong> ’22)<\/a><\/h2>\nJune 20, 2024 – The Pitscataquis Observer\nJune 18 was National Go Fishing Day, but 海角社区 biologists encouraged people to leave the cold-water species in their safe zone during the heatwave and seek warm water fish such as bass, perch, or pickerel.\n

Small mammals create big changes in the forest (Humphreys ’24<\/strong>)<\/a><\/h2>\nMay 31, 2024 by The Wildlife Society\nResearchers in 海角社区 are looking at how the personalities of small mammals affect forest regeneration by impacting seed dispersal. The team, led by University of 海角社区 graduate student Brigit Humphreys, set traps for small mammals like squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles and shrews to collected data about their personality traits and tag them.\n

Small mammals play a vital role in maintaining forest health (Humphreys ’24\/Mortelliti<\/strong>)<\/a><\/h2>\nMay 23, 2024 – Rodielon Putol, Earth.com\nDeep within the Penobscot Experimental Forest in 海角社区, a team of researchers has uncovered a fascinating phenomenon involving small mammals.\n

海角社区 Audubon Urges Federal Regulators to Remove Kennebec Dams (Gundrum ’19)<\/a><\/h2>\nMay 23, 2024 – by Ches Gundrum, Audubon.com\nThe story of America\u2019s movement to restore wildlife habitat by removing unnecessary and underperforming dams began, in part, on the Kennebec River. In 1999, advocates from across 海角社区 came together to celebrate the removal of the Edwards Dam near Augusta and the restoration of 18 miles of fish habitat not accessible since 1837.\n

In Memory of Wesley Smith ’71<\/a><\/h2>\nLegacy.com – May 11, 2024\nAs he would have been the first to say, on May 11, 2024, Wes “up and took dead.”\nBorn in Gardiner, he was stricken with polio at one year old. The doctor said he’d never walk. That was just the first of many instances where Wessy was underestimated.\n

Bangor students see things from a salmon\u2019s eye view (Dillingham ’24)<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\nMay 2, 2024 – 海角社区 Audubon, by Melissa Gallagher\nThrough recent outdoor learning and hands-on activities, students at the Fairmount School in Bangor are deepening their understanding of watersheds thanks to 海角社区 Audubon\u2019s \u201cRiver in my Backyard\u201d after-school program.\n

PCSWCD\u2019s annual bird walk with 海角社区 Audubon Society & Forest Society of 海角社区 (Kristin [Dilworth] Peet ’03)<\/a><\/h2>\nContributed \u2022 April 1, 2024\nDOVER-FOXCROFT \u2014 Register and join us for a morning bird walk on Saturday, May 4 as we explore springtime birds at the Law Farm Nature Trails in Dover-Foxcroft! The Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District will be cohosting with Forest Society of 海角社区 Conservation Specialist Kristin Peet, experienced birder, Shane Barker and 海角社区 Audubon Society\u2019s birder Nick Lund. Together, they will be leading a bird walk along the trails of Law Farm\u2019s community forest and recreational trails starting at 8 a.m.\n

Francesca Gundrum ’19 named Director of Advocacy at 海角社区 Audubon<\/a><\/h2>\n海角社区 Audubon – posted March 11, 2024\n海角社区 Audubon is pleased to announce that Francesca \u201cChes\u201d Gundrum has been promoted to Director of Advocacy.\n

In memory of David Locke ’56<\/a><\/h2>\nSOUTH GARDINER – March 4, 2024\nDavid Orman Locke passed away on March 4, 2024 at 海角社区 General Medical Center, Augusta, 海角社区. He was born October 4, 1934, to Lloyd G. and Doris (Stanley) Locke in Bridgton, 海角社区. He graduated from George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, 海角社区 and from the University of 海角社区 at Orono with a degree in Wildlife Conservation in 1956.\n

Tribal Nations Play a Growing Role in Addressing the Biodiversity Crisis (Merriam ’24\/Zydlewski<\/strong>)<\/a><\/h2>\nDecember 13, 2023 – Sierra – Indigenous communities work to protect salmon, wolves, and condors\nFOR MOST WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS, monitoring the health of animals consists of tracking wild creatures’ whereabouts, radio-collaring them when necessary, and taking blood samples and weight measurements.\n

In memory of Peter S. Bosse ’76<\/a><\/h2>\nPortland Press Herald – posted November 5, 2023\nWENDELL, N.C. \u2013 Peter died Sept. 14, 2023 after a brief illness.\u00a0 He was born April 11, 1952 in Lewiston, the youngest of six children.\n

‘Our 海角社区’ explores human impact on state\u2019s wild places (Calhoun\/Hunter<\/strong> ’74)<\/a><\/h2>\nOctober 23, 2023 – Ellsworth American\nSOUTHWEST HARBOR \u2014 Editors and a photographer teamed up to create \u201cOur 海角社区: Exploring Its Rich Natural Heritage,\u201d a book of essays by 33 contributors that paints a vivid portrait of 海角社区\u2019s wild places and wild creatures, as well as of human impacts and the way the state\u2019s heritage has changed.\n

Announcing our interim executive director (Gardner<\/strong> [Huebner] ’10)<\/a><\/h2>\nAugust 25, 2023 – Sageland Collaborative\nWe\u2019re excited to announce our new Interim Executive Director: Janice Gardner!<\/a> Gardner has been a Conservation Ecologist at Sageland Collaborative<\/a> for over five years, leading with both a deep passion for wildlife and a marked ability to achieve large-scale conservation impacts.\n

Outdoors with Jeremy Hurst and Amanda Watson 8\/22\/2023 (Watson {Bailey} ’12)<\/a><\/h2>\nWAMC Northeast Public Radio – Published August 23, 2023\nWe welcome back Jeremy Hurst, the Big Game Unit Leader for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Also joining us is Mandy Watson is a wildlife biologist with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation\u2019s Game Management section.\n

Steve Walker<\/strong> (’93) named Land for 海角社区\u2019s Future director<\/a><\/h2>\nJune 17, 2023\nAUGUSTA \u2014 Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal has announced that Steve Walker will be joining the department as director of Land for 海角社区\u2019s Future.\n

Downeast Audubon talk April 12 (Berigan ’24\/Filiberti ’24<\/strong>)<\/h2>\nApr 3, 2023 – Ellsworth American\nELLSWORTH<\/strong> \u2014 Downeast Audubon is hosting a talk titled “Migratory Marvels: Understanding Woodcock and Golden-winged Warbler Migration” on Wednesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth.\n\nLiam Berigan and Emily Filiberti are researchers at the University of 海角社区 studying bird migration using remote tracking technology. Berigan will give an introduction to the biology and life history of the American woodcock and discuss his ongoing research on their migration patterns.\u00a0\u00a0Filiberti\u00a0will speak about her two-year-long tracking and monitoring of the golden-winged warbler, a species facing acute population decline.\n\nThe audience will be walked through the process of tagging and tracking these elusive birds, how the Motus network is playing a pivotal role in understanding migratory pathways, and how this work will ultimately help to inform future management decisions for these species.\n

Amanda Ives<\/strong> (’23): Teaching \u2014 and learning \u2014 with 海角社区 Audubon<\/a><\/h2>\nMarch 16, 2023 \u2013 U海角社区 News\nAmanda Ives has always been outdoorsy. She remembers her childhood vacations and outdoor summer camp adventures as formative times in her life, and influential in her decision to pursue conservation as a career.\n

Salmon deplete fat stores while stopped at dams, study shows (Rubenstein ’12)<\/a><\/h2>\nFebruary 2023 – phys.org\nRestoration of the critically endangered Atlantic salmon is an important issue in the rivers of 海角社区. Dams on 海角社区 rivers have long been known to impact fish populations, but a new study led by the University of 海角社区 quantifying the time and energy lost by Atlantic salmon stopped by dams indicate that the structures might have even more of an impact than once thought.\n

Reading Trees: \u00a0Are small mammals able to predict seed densities in the 海角社区 woods? (Franzoi Dri ’24<\/strong>)<\/a><\/h2>\nFebruary 2023 – 海角社区 TREE – Written by Gabriela Franzoi Dri\nWe all know that farmers try to predict if the coming season will produce a good crop based on spring weather. But have you ever wondered if squirrels can predict if this will be a good or poor acorn year? This is very intriguing because trees produce variable seed quantities each year \u2013 a process we call \u201cmast-seeding\u201d \u2013 and squirrels certainly would benefit from knowing when food will be more abundant.\n

Salmon deplete fat stores while stopped at dams, study shows (Rubenstein ’21)<\/a><\/h2>\nBy Shweta Varshney – Samachar Central – Feb 3, 2023\nRestoration of the critically endangered Atlantic salmon is an important issue in the rivers of 海角社区. Dams on 海角社区 rivers have long been known to impact fish populations, but a new study led by the University of 海角社区 quantifying the time and energy lost by Atlantic salmon stopped by dams indicate that the structures might have even more of an impact than once thought.\n

In memory of Beth [Henderson] Goettel ’76<\/a><\/h2>\nBar Harbor – January 18, 2023\nBeth Goettel lost her battle with multiple system atrophy (MSA) on Jan. 16, 2023. Although this cruel disease took away her ability to walk, and affected her eyesight, coordination and ability to talk, she never lost her sense of humor or her bright outlook on life.\n

Outdoors with Mandy Watson and Matt Palumbo (Watson {Bailey} ’12)<\/a><\/h2>\nWAMC, The Roundtable – January 17, 2023\nToday we talk about wildlife that you might find in your own backyard. We welcome back Mandy Watson, coordinator of the Furbearer and Small Game Mammal programs for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Also joining us is Matt Palumbo from the Avian Unit of the DEC\u2019s Wildlife Diversity Section.\n

A Fond Farewell to Amanda Ives (’23)<\/strong>, the 2022 Davis Intern at Fields Pond<\/a><\/h2>\nDecember 20, 2022 – 海角社区 Audubon\nImagine a job where you start your day by filling feeders for wild birds, then help to plan an after-school lesson for fourth graders, then recommend some hiking trails for visitors to the Fields Pond Audubon Nature Center.\n

Outdoors with Jeremy Hurst 11\/29\/22 (Watson {Bailey} ’12)<\/a><\/h2>\nBullseye with Jesse Thorn – Published November 29, 2022\nWe welcome back Jeremy Hurst, the Big Game Unit Leader for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Also joining us is Mandy Watson is a wildlife biologist with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation\u2019s Game Management section.\n

Matt Gonnerman:\u00a0 Wild turkeys adapt movement to 海角社区\u2019s winter weather, U海角社区 study shows (Gonnerman ’21)<\/a><\/h2>\nNovember 22, 2022 – U海角社区\nThanksgiving may be right around the corner, but 海角社区\u2019s wild turkeys have more to worry about than ending up on the kitchen table. Winter is coming, and with it, extremely cold temperatures and fewer resources for turkeys to thrive.\n

Readfield outdoorsman leads the High Peaks Alliance (West ’10)<\/a><\/h2>\nREADFIELD \u2014 Brent West grew up in New Portland in Somerset County hunting, fishing and exploring the high peaks of 海角社区.\n\nThe experiences led him to a career in wildlife ecology. After college, he worked across North America for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducting surveys that informed federal hunting laws. While working for the service in Maryland he earned his master\u2019s degree developing a model to estimate North America\u2019s woodcock population, according to West.\n

In Memory of Marshall Thomas Wiebe (’60)<\/a><\/h2>\nREADFIELD \u2013 Marshall Thomas Wiebe, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2022, at Balsam House in Readfield with his loving wife at his side.\n

How to outsmart a beaver, topic of Coastal Rivers online program (Lisle ’94)<\/a><\/h2>\nby Angela DesVeaux, Coastal Rivers – Tue, 03\/15\/2022 – 11:15am\nThe North American beaver is a keystone species, or an organism that supports an entire biological community. However, their engineering projects can put them at odds with humans when they cause damage to roads and other human property.\n

Scott appoints Wayne Laroche (’71) to Vermont House of Representatives<\/a><\/h2>\nMon, 02\/14\/2022 – 2:40pm — Vermont Business Magazine\nGovernor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of Wayne A. Laroche, of Franklin, to the Vermont House of Representatives, representing House District\u00a0Franklin-5. Laroche replaces former Representative Paul Martin (R-Franklin) who recently resigned.\n

In Memory of Richard “Dick” Hess (’53)<\/a><\/h2>\nDecember 11, 2021\n\nRichard “Dick” Hess, 90, of Collbran, Colorado, passed peacefully in the early morning of December 11, 2021.\n

Forestry Walk and Talk (Joseph Roy ’14)<\/a><\/h2>\nBy Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District Sat, 07\/24\/2021 – 8:15am\nPresenters include: Peter Abello, district conservationist at NRCS-USDA; Barrie Brusila, forester with Mid-海角社区 Forestry; Joseph Roy,<\/strong> wildlife biologist 海角社区 Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; and representatives from Midcoast Conservancy.\n

Wildlife science education, research were passions for SDSU professor (Jonathan Jenks ’86)<\/a><\/h2>\nJan 29, 2021\n\nBROOKINGS, S.D. \u2014 For the past 29 years, Jonathan Jenks<\/strong>, a distinguished professor of natural resource management at South Dakota State University, has devoted his professional life to researching wildlife populations and educating young people hoping to enter the wildlife ecology and natural resource management industries.\n

In Memory of Patricia L. Waldman<\/a><\/h2>\nMon, 12\/07\/2020 – 8:30am\n\nPatricia Lois Flynt Waldman was born in Augusta, 海角社区 on Jan. 19, 1938 to Horton and Barbara (Burr) Flynt. Her life spanned just beyond eight decades and she packed every one full.\n

Birds of 海角社区<\/em> Lands On Bookshelves (Peter Vickery ’90 & ’93)<\/a><\/h2>\nBy Will Grunewald – Down East Magazine Holiday Issue 2020\n\nA flock of family and friends helped the late Peter Vickery<\/strong>‘s sweeping account of 海角社区’s birds become a full-fledged reality.\n

In Memory of Lewis N. Flagg (’65)<\/a><\/h2>\nWINTHROP \u2013 Lewis Nelson Flagg<\/strong>, a retired State of 海角社区 Marine Biologist and Army veteran, passed away peacefully, with his daughter and wife at his side, on May 17, 2020, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.\n

Saving 海角社区’s endangered wildlife is a ‘complex dance’ (Charlie Todd ’79<\/a>)<\/h2>\nBy Aislinn Sarnacki<\/a>, BDN Staff\nFebruary 15, 2020 1:00 am\n海角社区 is home to 51 animals that are currently listed as Endangered or Threatened by the state or federal government. On that list, you\u2019ll find the puffin, the New England cottontail rabbit, the spotted turtle and a fish called a swamp darter \u2014 just to name a few.\n

Phippsburg chooses local trappers over federal program to control rabies (Shevenell Webb ’03)<\/a><\/h2>\nPhippsburg selectmen agreed to connect residents interested in trapping wildlife on their property with local fur trappers, who help control the wildlife population and the diseases they carry.\n\nKathleen O’Brien Times Record – February 13, 2020\n

In Memory of Charles “Chuck” A. McNulty (’60)<\/a><\/h2>\nOct. 10, 1938 \u2014 Feb. 6, 2020\n\nQUEENSBURY \u2014 Charles \u201cChuck\u201d A. McNulty, 81, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, at the Glens Falls Hospital after a lengthy, valiant battle with heart disease and kidney failure.\n

New Patrol Officer to be assigned to Machias (Evan Whidden ’17)<\/a><\/h2>\nJanuary 15, 2020\n\n…Sworn in at the same time was Evan Whidden<\/strong> of Harpswell, who will serve as boat specialist on the patrol vessel Monitor out of Boothbay Harbor.\n

Letter to the editor: Trapping not the only way to manage beavers (Skip Lisle ’94)<\/a><\/h2>\nNon-lethal tactics can protect property while letting beavers play a vital role in the ecosystem.\nPortland Press Herald – January 6, 2020\n

Bat Conservation: Helping 海角社区’s Bat Population in the Face of White Nose Disease and Other Threats (Shevenell [Mullen] Webb ’03)<\/a><\/h2>\nBy Cindy Han – Oct 29, 2019\nThe bat population has been in decline in 海角社区 ever since 2011, when the onset of white nose syndrome caused by a harmful fungus began to kill off different bat species here.\n

Biologist among those awarded for their work with 海角社区’s fisheries (Wes Ashe ’09)<\/a><\/h2>\nby John Holyoke, BDN Staff – September 17, 2019\n\nSeveral state fisheries and hatcheries staffers were honored recently for their efforts to manage and enhance the state\u2019s fishing resources.\n

Schoodic Institute appoints new education specialist (Sarah Hooper ’90)<\/a><\/h2>\nAugust 30, 2019\n\nWINTER HARBOR \u2014 Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park has appointed Sarah Hooper<\/strong> of Brooklin as education specialist.\n

County Faces: Steve Young (’78) of Frenchville<\/a><\/h2>\n<Jessica Potila – July 4, 2019\nWildlife biologist Steve Young<\/strong> of Frenchville, 63, first fell in love with nature when he was a Boy Scout growing up in Madawaska. Young went on to become an Eagle Scout and has shared his respect and appreciation for 海角社区\u2019s natural landscape with others ever since.\n

Marsupials on MDI? (Shevenell [Mullen] Webb ’03)<\/a><\/h2>\nBy Becky Pritchard on News – May 13, 2019\n\nBAR HARBOR \u2014 Mount Desert Islander reporter Dick Broom was on his way to a meeting one evening last February. While stopped at the stop sign where Park Street meets Ledgelawn Avenue, his vehicle headlights caught the form of a light gray animal across the street.\n

Beaver Deceivers: System protects animals, prevents flooding (Skip Lisle ’94)<\/a><\/h2>\nBy Paul Post ppost@digitalfirstmedia.com @paulpost on Twitter – Apr 22, 2019\n\nSARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. \u2014 Skip Lisle<\/strong> has a spent a lifetime trying to outwit beavers in an attempt to keep them alive, protect their habitats and save people millions of dollars.\n\nHis Graftton, Vt.-based business, Beaver Deceivers, employs a clever system he designed that allows the animals to build dams without causing flooding, which triggers expensive property damage.\n

DIF&W promotes biologist to lead wildlife division (Nate Webb ’03)<\/a><\/h2>\nBy John Holyoke<\/a>, BDN Staff – April 22, 2019 12:49 pm\nThe 海角社区 Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has promoted an experienced biologist to serve as the new director of its wildlife division. Nate Webb,<\/strong> who has been working as the supervisor of the department\u2019s Wildlife Resource Assessment Division, will now oversee the development and implementation of policy decisions and legislative proposals, and will coordinate a $12 million budget while supervising a staff of nearly 50 employees.\n

Manager at Westmoreland State Park loves its history, but notes that age requires updates (Russell Johnson ’84)<\/a><\/h2>\nBY ROB HEDELT THE FREE LANCE-STAR, Apr 16, 2019\n\nWestmoreland State Park Manager Russell Johnson<\/strong> receives a check from Carter Blackford Filer, president of Garden Club of the Northern Nec, money being used to update the park\u2019s Discovery Center. Assistant Park Manager Steve Davis (at rear) stand next to and worked with GCNN members Jan Schuler and Candy Carden to present the proposal to the Garden Club of Virginia, which issued the grant.\n

In memory of Sally C. Rooney ’59<\/a><\/h2>\nSally C. Rooney, 80, died December 13, 2018, at Birch Bay Village, Bar Harbor. Born 1938 in Malden, MA, she was the daughter of Kellogg W and Muriel C Kyle of Stoneham, MA.\u00a0 Sally graduated from the University of 海角社区, Orono, becoming the first woman to earn a BS, wildlife management in 1959. She followed that with an MS zoology in 1972 and an MS botany in 1991.\n

First sequencing of Canada lynx genome (Jennifer Vashon ’93)<\/a><\/h2>\nSeptember 14, 2018 by Tanya Lama, University of Massachusetts Amherst\nScientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in collaboration with the Vertebrate Genome Laboratory (VGL), New York, this week are publishing the first-ever whole genome for the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis<\/i>). It is one of 14 being released to the public data repository for use by researchers studying evolution, disease, genetics and conservation, says lynx team coordinator Tanya Lama, a doctoral candidate in environmental conservation at UMass Amherst.\nRead more at: https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2018-09-sequencing-canada-lynx-genome.html#jCp<\/a>\n

In memory of Dr. “Sandy” Sanford Schemnitz (professor of wildlife resources ’62 to ’75)…\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\nSanford D. Schemnitz was born March 10, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio to David & Evelyn Schemnitz. Shortly thereafter, they moved to California. When he was five years old, tragedy struck and his mother died. After her death he lived for a brief time with his aunt, Theresa Wertheimer, in Glencoe, IL. In 1937, he went back out to California and lived briefly with his grandparents before moving back to Cleveland. His father remarried Rhoda Goodman, who helped raise him along with his two sisters. The family eventually moved to Milwaukee, Wis….\n

In memory of Peter D. Vickery ’90, ’93<\/a><\/h2>\nPeter Douglas Vickery, 67, of Richmond, 海角社区, died at this home on February 28, 2017, after an 18-month battle with cancer.\u00a0 Peter’s lifelong passion was birds, and they were woven on a daily basis into his adult life and his work.\n

In memory of Gorden W. Bell ’67<\/a><\/h2>\nGordon W. Bell, 73, died following a brief illness, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, at Sussman Hospice House in Rockport. His loving wife was at his side.\n

Why 海角社区 Is The Only State In The US With A \u2018Significant\u2019 Elver Fishery (William Sheldon ’69)<\/a><\/h2>\nMAY 1, 2018, Nora Flaherty\n…..In 海角社区, the story starts in the 1970s, at a time when sushi was becoming popular in the western world. At that time, according to a National Geographic article on the elver trade, a Japanese fisheries attache got in touch with the state Department of Natural Resources, wondering if 海角社区 had enough baby eels to start a commercial fishery.\n\nThe job of answering that question fell to William Sheldon<\/strong>, a 海角社区 Department of Marine Resources employee with a degree in wildlife management. He was the right guy for the job. Once Sheldon determined there were indeed elvers aplenty in 海角社区\u2019s rivers, estuaries and streams, he figured out techniques for elver fishing and holding, and for shipping the little eels to Japan. (That isn\u2019t where his story ends, by the way<\/a>.)\n

Should Some Species Be Allowed to Die Out? (Marcus Collado ’09)<\/a><\/h2>\nMARCH 13, 2018, By JENNIFER KAHN\nAs the list of endangered animals worldwide grows longer, society may soon be faced with an impossible decision: which ones to take off life support.\n

Important news if you hunt turkeys or hate turkeys (Brad Allen’79)<\/a><\/h2>\nMarch 6, 2018, By George Smith\nIf you don\u2019t hunt turkeys, you probably hate turkeys. One year, a week before Christmas, a friend got a call from a lady asking him to come to her house to kill the turkeys that had eaten all her Christmas decorations on her deck.\n

The most peculiar job I did as a 海角社区 wildlife biologist? Count deer dung (William Noble ’73)<\/a><\/h2>\nBy Ron Joseph, Special to the BDN \u2022 February 10, 2018 12:24 pm\nOn April 4, 1978, I celebrated my 26th birthday by counting deer dung as a recently hired wildlife biologist for the 海角社区 Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The census is officially named \u201cdeer pellet-group surveys,\u201d a cleverly worded euphemism. Gary Donovan, my supervisor, assigned me to work with Gene Dumont, an assistant regional wildlife biologist.\n

Fish and Game publishes multispecies monitoring tool (Lacy Robinson ’06)<\/a><\/h2>\nMoney for wildlife conservation is a dwindling resource in a time when there has never been a greater need for it. The sweat equity of eight organizations, 200 citizen scientists, and a biologist\u2019s survey tool showed what can be accomplished when the two are connected. This collaborative effort is now published for others to see and use in similar research.\n

Celebrating with my birthday mallard (Howard Delo ’79)<\/a><\/h2>\nOctober 22, 2017 – Back in the early 1970\u2019s, the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of 海角社区 at Orono had strong ties between the two wildlife management schools within the universities. Without going into much detail, I think that\u2019s one reason I was accepted for graduate school in 海角社区 after graduating from Fairbanks.\n

How one man tricked beavers and saved them \u2014 and roads \u2014 in the process (Skip Lisle ’94)<\/a><\/h2>\nOctober 10, 2017 – Knee-deep in muddy water, Skip Lisle<\/strong> wrestled with a metal fence, a key component of his invention, the Beaver Deceiver<\/a>. On the morning of Sept. 29, deep in the woods of northeast 海角社区, Lisle pieced together the simple, durable device that he designed with one goal: trick the beavers, and in doing so, save the beavers.\n

In Memory of Clarence W. Davis ’62<\/a><\/h2>\nClarence \u201cLarry\u201d W. Davis<\/strong>, 84, of Boothbay, died peacefully Sept. 13, 2017 at the 海角社区 Veterans Hospice House at Togus in Augusta.\n

In Memory of Alan Edward Hutchinson ’69 and ’80<\/a><\/h2>\nWe deeply mourn the unexpected passing of Alan Edward Hutchinson<\/strong> on Sunday, August 27th at his home in Orono. We will painfully miss this extraordinary man who possessed a deep respect and love for the magnificence of family, the glory of nature, and the pleasure of many, many cherished friendships.\n

Rewilding cougars in the 海角社区 woods (Mark McCollough ’82 and ’89)<\/a><\/h2>\nOn Wednesday, June 28, a five-member panel discussed the possibility of bringing, or rewilding, a permanent population of mountain lions, or cougars, to the East. The forum \u201cMountain Lions in 海角社区: Rewilding the 海角社区 Woods\u201d drew about 125 people to the Round Top Darrow\u2019s Barn in Damariscotta….\n\n…Mark A. McCollough<\/strong>, an endangered species specialist biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s 海角社区 Field Office; and Christopher Spatz, president of the Cougar Rewilding Foundation.\n

Game Commission hires CWD boss (Wayne Laroche ’72)<\/a><\/h2>\nHARRISBURG –\u00a0The Pennsylvania Game Commission has focused its attention on limiting the spread of chronic wasting disease through the state’s wild whitetailed deer and neutralizing its threat to wild elk….\n\nWayne A. Laroche<\/strong>, who has served as the agency\u2019s Bureau of Wildlife Management director for the past two years, will be appointed Aug. 1 as special assistant for CWD response. Laroche will lead the Game Commission\u2019s efforts to slow CWD and reduce its impact. CWD is fatal to deer and elk.\n

Local game warden recognized as 海角社区\u2019s Warden of the Year (Kris MacCabe ’05)<\/a><\/h2>\nFARMINGTON – A game warden from the greater Farmington district was recently recognized as warden of the year for his outstanding efforts in law enforcement.\n\nWarden Kris MacCabe<\/strong> spent years in his college days building up his resume with outdoor experience before applying for a position on the state’s game warden force in 2007.","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

海角社区 Legislature bucked national trends to protect wildlife (Gundrum ’19) August 5, 2025 – by Opinion Contributor, Bangor Daily News These are challenging times for conservationists who are dealing with a federal government and Congress emboldened to weaken federal environmental laws and slash funding and staffing levels at natural resource agencies. Thankfully, there remains a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":0,"parent":61,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/page-withsidebar.php","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3976","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nAlums in the News - Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology - University of 海角社区<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/alums\/alums-in-the-news\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Alums in the News - Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology - University of 海角社区\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"海角社区 Legislature bucked national trends to protect wildlife (Gundrum ’19) August 5, 2025 – by Opinion Contributor, Bangor Daily News These are challenging times for conservationists who are dealing with a federal government and Congress emboldened to weaken federal environmental laws and slash funding and staffing levels at natural resource agencies. 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