Throughout the long and winding road of his career, newly appointed Douglas R. Stephens Endowed Chair in Wildlife Jason Riddle has loved teaching. Starting with his first experience as a graduate teaching assistant while pursuing his master’s degree, Riddle spent the last 15 years as a professor in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) at UW–Stevens Point.
Riddle’s new position, however, includes serving as the director of the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife (WCW). This role will allow him to branch out into outreach and administration, while still maintaining his teaching work, as well as transitioning from his current nine-month appointment to a year-round position.
“I love teaching and I love being in the classroom. I also love research and working with the public,” Riddle said. “In my new role, teaching, research, extension, and administration are all built in and more equally weighted in a 12-month appointment.”
Riddle’s new role is a “joint effort” between the CNR and UW–Madison Division of Extension, and he hopes it will help to continue fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between the two organizations.
“I hope this relationship will be characterized by openness and growth,” Riddle said. “I would like to increase awareness of the opportunities Extension offers to the citizens of Wisconsin and how we can work together to benefit the wildlife we all love.”
This partnership goes both ways, Riddle said. Not only does Extension have a lot to offer the WCW, but the WCW has much to offer in return.
“We have world-class educators in our Wildlife program. They also do some amazing research,” Riddle said. “In addition, we have a very deep and diverse pool of talented students in our Wildlife program. I believe the skills and abilities of our Wildlife faculty and students can help further the Extension mission as well.”
David Drake, professor and Extension wildlife specialist, echoed this sentiment of a beneficial partnership between the organizations. He also pointed out the ability of the WCW to reach audiences from UW–Stevens Point.
“By fostering connections among Extension wildlife colleagues throughout the state, we can be more strategic with our programming and more efficient and effective with our resources,” Drake said.
Extension Senior Wildlife Outreach Specialist Jamie Nack also noted the importance of the work the WCW does.
“As the human population continues to grow, so will human-wildlife interactions, both positive and negative,” Nack said. “The Wisconsin Center for Wildlife is a trusted source of information that individuals and communities can look to for assistance and can serve as a conduit between research-based solutions and on-the-ground solutions.”
Riddle shared a similar sentiment, explaining why wildlife and environmental education as a whole are important.
“I believe that our surroundings (all of the material world) have both intrinsic and utilitarian value. I think the quality of our own human experience is enhanced when we better understand and steward our world. Wildlife play such a critical role in these efforts.”
The reason for this, Riddle explained, is because wildlife straddle the line between humans and our environment.
“Wildlife are more similar to us than anything else in our environment,” Riddle said. “In that regard, they are ‘relatable.’ On the other hand, they are mysterious in many ways because they can perceive and do things that we can’t. So, they are simultaneously relatable, awe-inspiring, and drive our curiosity about the natural world. I think that makes them the perfect ‘window’ into our universe.”
Riddle is hopeful that through a strong partnership with Extension, the WCW can grow their current programs, including the Wildlife Seminar Series, Wildlife Conservation Through Art workshops, and classes in raptor husbandry and chemical immobilization of wildlife.
Nack is also looking forward to work between the two organizations, and how they can help each other improve and expand on current program offerings.
“I’m most excited about increasing our capacity as a team of Extension wildlife professionals to develop new programs, expand existing programs and to reach underserved audiences,” Nack said.
While Riddle said he loves Central Wisconsin and the community he has found in Stevens Point, he’s excited for the new opportunities this position provides him.
“I’m excited about expanding my ‘work family’ to include folks in Extension,” Riddle said. “As well as expanding my focus to more formally include the talent and needs of citizens across Wisconsin and beyond.”