Science & Outdoors
Nothern flying squirrel found in Clark County.
University student research receives acclaim
The Pointer
jtowl695@uwsp.edu
Ryan Stephens initially came to the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point to pursue a degree in Environmental Education with the understanding that the College of Natural Resources is one of the most highly acclaimed programs of its kind. What he didn’t realize is that as his plans changed with his experience, he would become one of the most highly acclaimed products of such an education.
A third semester senior, Stephens is now a biology and wildlife major with an impressive history at UWSP. His original plan to teach began to evolve with the presentation of a unique opportunity in North Dakota. Accompanied by ornithologist and biology professor Bob Rosenfield, the two embarked on a journey to trap Cooper’s hawks. Ultimately, the experience awakened Stephens’ passion for wildlife and marked the beginning of a series of great accomplishments that would stand as a testament of a UWSP education.
Since his awakening, Stephens earned a fellowship to work at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in 2008 where he spent ten weeks on a shrew foot morphology publication that is due out in the near future. Most recently however, Stephens spent this summer surveying small mammal communities throughout Wisconsin in response to biology chair Chris Yahnke’s recommendation. The project was partly funded by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the UWSP CNR and was eventually made possible through the approval of a grant writen by the ambitious student.
The project lasted the entirety of the summer and spanned from Lincoln County to Dane County. It offered Ryan a remarkable hands-on experience as he observed natural plant communities and how they related to mammal populations. Aside from the assistance of five other students at various phases of the project, Stephens worked his 12 to 16 hour days alone.
An ordinary day found Stephens taking note of county records, checking traps and calculating range extensions. On the contrary, ordinary days were few and far between as he dealt with flat tires, chased bears away from traps and contracted Lyme’s Disease, all of which failed to slow Stephens down.
Wildlife ecology professor Eric Anderson, who acted as the faculty advisor for the project, said of Stephens, “He’s an exceptional kid in all ways. He’s intelligent, thoughtful and incredibly hardworking. He’s a pile of tinder waiting to be ignited.” His capabilities and enthusiasm made him an ideal candidate for this project, but also reveal how he has won over the DNR as they are looking to pay for his master’s degree.
Over the course of the summer, Stephens came across 1,300 animals of 19 different species. Perhaps his most notable discoveries include that of the northern flying squirrel and southern bog lemming. His education at UWSP has provided him with necessary hands-on experience, strengthened relationships with professors and key contacts all of which make for an incredible success story. Not only does he give bragging rights to UWSP, but to Wisconsin as well.
Stephens’ worthy advice to fellow students is to get involved, “Even if you’re not quite interested, go for it.” As he found out with Cooper’s hawks in North Dakota, embraced opportunities result in monumental achievements and ultimately for Stephens, a career path that is already well-paved.
