spring2011NRESnewsletter

A Message from the NRES Steering Committee Chair
By Dr. Mary A. Arthur
We have great news to report regarding the program!
First, the new curriculum and name change received
final approval late last fall, so our program is now
officially the Natural Resources and Environmental
Science (NRES) program. As we announced in an
earlier newsletter, the revised curriculum requires
students to focus part of their coursework in an
Environmental Systems Emphasis Area (ESEA) and an
Analytical Skill Development (ASD) selection. Students
will then select an internship or research experience
that is integrated with their ESEA and/or ASD.
And perhaps even more exciting, we will be hiring an Academic Coordinator
for the NRES program, the first person hired specifically for our program,
whose time will be dedicated 100% to NRES! The Academic Coordinator
will be responsible for coordination of the NRES academic program,
including communication with students, alumni, and stakeholders; support
for the internship program and the annual NRES Internship Forum; and
course instruction.
The program webpage has been updated (http://www.ca.uky.edu/NRES/),
and we are now on Facebook, too. Join the NRES Facebook page (called
“UK Natural Resources and Environmental Science”) for access to program-
related updates!
In this issue of the newsletter, we highlight two local alumni. E.J.
Bunzendahl, ‘93, was a student in the first class of NRCM students, and is
now working with the USDA Forest Service on the Daniel Boone National
Forest. E.J. offered a fire training to our NRES and Forestry students this
February. Kristy Stroud, ‘06, is a Conservation Education Program Leader at
the Salato Wildlife Center in Frankfort, an organization that also sponsors
interns.
This issue also highlights an internship being conducted at the Lexington
Division of Environmental Policy. Two courses are highlighted in this issue,
one that is required of all NRES students, NRE 301, and one that is an
option for students choosing the Human Dimensions and Natural Resource
Planning for their Environmental Systems Emphasis Area, Introduction to
Continued on page 2
Opportunities
Beyond the
Classroom
2
What is unique
about NRES?
4
NRES Capstone
Course 2010
6
Student
Internship:
Shawn Rice
7
Student
Highlight:
Sarah Wightman
8
Featured
Courses
9
Faculty Profile:
Dr. Infanger
3
NRES Advisors 12
Professional
Resources
5
Alumni
Highlight:
EJ Bunzendahl
11
Alumni
Highlight:
Kristy Stroud
10
Inside this
Issue:
Natural Resources &
Environmental Science
NewsletterSpring 2011
Volume 2, Issue 1

2
Page 2
City and Regional Planning (GEO 285). Natural Resources & Environmental Science (NRE 301), taught
by Dr. Larry Grabau, is a foundational course for this major. Introduction to City and Regional Planning
(GEO 285) is taught by Lynn Phillips, and gets rave reviews for former NCRM students who have enjoyed
her class.
Dr. Craig Infanger is the subject of our faculty highlight in this issue. He has made very valuable
contributions to the NRCM/NRES program through his involvement as a member of the curriculum
Steering Committee and as Chair of the Committee from 2003 to 2009. Sarah Wightman (’10), who
graduated this past December, is our student highlighted in this issue. Sarah pioneered the format and
content of the NRES newsletter, and contributed in other significant ways to the program.
The goal of this bi-annual newsletter is to keep you informed of developments and accomplishments in
the NRES program. If you have news you want to send for inclusion in the newsletter, or other
comments or information, please email me at marthur@uky.edu. We are excited about the ways the
NRES program is improving and growing, and aim to keep you informed of our activities.
NRCM/NRES Newsletter Spring 2011 www.ca.uky.edu/nres
In this economy, jobs are tough to come by, even with a bachelor’s degree. Lucky for recent graduates,
there’s still a whole world of opportunities out there to build up resumes with valuable real world
experiences in order to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Check out some of the options available:
PEACE CORPS http://www.peacecorps.gov/
Ever dreamed of immersing yourself in a culture abroad and assisting in the development and sustainable
progress of countries in need? Check out the Peace Corps, which offers dozens of two year commitment
programs in many difference disciplines, including: Environmental Education, Forestry, Protected Areas
Management, Agriculture, and many more.
TEACH FOR AMERICA http://www.teachforamerica.org/
Teach for America is a program that provides teachers for young students in low-income communities and
tries to balance educational inequities. If you’re interested in education, this is a great way to gain valuable
teaching experience and help out the less fortunate.
AMERICORPS http://www.americorps.gov/
Another great way to make a difference is through Americorps. This program is designed to provide an
employment network of nonprofits around the country. If you’ve got a passion for service, Americorps has
an opportunity for you, from the environment to community development and others.
THE STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION http://thesca.org/
It never hurts to do more internships, and if an internship is what you’re looking for, the SCA is one of the
best resources around.
WORLD WIDE OPPORTUNITIES ON ORGANIC FARMS http://www.wwoof.org/
Interested in sustainable agriculture? Ever wondered what it’s like to grow coffee on the Hawaiian Islands,
or what it would be like to grow potatoes on the shores of Ireland? WWOOF is an organization that
connects organic farmers looking for help to young people interested in working on and learning about
organic farms for a few months during peak season.
NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL http://ww.nols.edu/
Ever wanted to learn about wilderness survival techniques, leadership, environmental ethics, and
simultaneously participate in awesome outdoor recreation activities like snowboarding, mountaineering, and
sea kayaking? Then NOLS has your name on it. Check it out!
Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

3
Page 3
Faculty Profile: Dr. Craig Infanger
Contact Dr. Craig Infanger at craig.infanger@uky.edu Dr. I at a village well ceremony near Lake Sevan, Armenia.
Dr. I on a cold day in Red Square. (Russia)
Although he seems a bit intimidating at first, Dr.
Craig Infanger's bark is worse than his bite. He
cares deeply about his students and wants them all
to be successful, in his classes and in their career.
Dr. Infanger grew up in the western US amidst
public lands, and likes to share stories of his
previous experiences that are meaningful to the
students in his classes who could one day choose to
follow in his footsteps or build on the foundation that
he and other natural resources faculty and
professionals have laid down.
A B.S. degree in Economics from the University of
Utah and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from
Washington State University eventually led Dr. I to
UK, where he has spent 37 years of his professional
career. In
that time he
has taught
Natural
Resource
Economics
(AEC 445)
almost every
year, and
Natural
Resource
Policy
Analysis
(NRE 381) since 2002.
In his years at the University of Kentucky, Dr.
Infanger has been on leave four different times to
work a total of seven years, five of which were
outside of the United States. Dr. I says: “In
Thailand I worked on a team trying to reorient the
Ministry of Agriculture’s approach to working with
poor, subsistence rice farmers in Northeast Thailand
where soil fertility is low and rainfall highly variable.
In Russia I worked as a policy advisor to the Minister
of Agriculture in the new Russian Federation. I
worked on a daily basis with his Economics Advisor
on issues of land reform, privatization, and market
development. Most recently I worked in Armenia as
Director of a large U.S. assistance project which was
trying to establish private sector agribusiness for
meat and vegetable processing, wine production,
and dairy products.”
After his retirement, Dr. Infanger plans to move on
to a new chapter in his life. He is actively seeking
one last long-term international assignment,
perhaps in Africa, with his wife of 43 years. In his
free time, Dr. Infanger goes golfing regularly with a
faculty group, visits his 11 grandkids who are spread
out across the country (from Arizona to Oklahoma
and Florida), and takes international vacations once
a year. This year he and his wife are going to visit
Casablanca and the Canary Islands.
Reflecting back on his career, Dr. Infanger said that
the launch of the NRCM degree attracted new, non-
traditional students to the College of Agriculture,
and that he felt a strong need to build an effective
degree program for those students, which he admits
was a struggle from time to time. He is positive
about the progress the students have made, the
dedicated faculty who have worked to build the
program, and improve the curriculum. Although he
says he will definitely miss teaching, Dr. Infanger
feels that one of his professional legacies is that of
a NRES program that is getting stronger and sending
excellent graduates out in the real world.
Dr. I was in Thailand from 1983-1985 working
with scientists from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr. Infanger in Russia, a cold day on Red Square.

4
Page 4
The NRES major simultaneously provides a broad
education in the social and natural sciences that
underpin natural resources and environmental
science, and requires students to focus on an
Environmental Systems Emphasis Area and an
Analytical Skill Development area. This
multidisciplinary
curriculum allows everyone who comes through
the program to follow their specific passion while
building on the core disciplines. Coupled with the
opportunities described below, students emerge
from the NRES program with the necessary
knowledge, excellent skills, and professional
experiences that together can lay the groundwork
for
success in
pursuing
employment or
graduate school.
The curriculum is
strongly writing
intensive
compared to
many majors. One of the first courses in the major
is NRE 301, Natural Resources and Environmental
Science, which satisfies the
University graduation writing requirement while
focusing the writing on issues relevant to natural
resources and environmental science. Two science
courses, FOR 340 (Forest Ecology), and FOR 460G
(Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management),
also carry an emphasis on writing and nurture
students’ abilities to analyze and write for scientific
and lay audiences. NRE 381, Natural Resource
Policy Analysis, requires students to develop their
skills in writing professional and business memos.
The Capstone course provides students with the
opportunity to apply the skills and information
acquired in previous courses to a specific natural
resources problem, engaging professionals and
other stakeholders to develop solutions. Students
advance their skills in teamwork, analysis,
professionalism, and oral and written
communication as they work on a project that
culminates in a final presentation accompanied by a
written report.
By conducting either an internship or a research
project, students have the chance to work in a
professional context on a matter that is of specific
personal and professional interest to them. By
connecting the choice of an internship or research
project with the student’s chosen focus areas, they
are able to build strong
connections between
academic work and
application.
Along the way, students go
on field trips of various
kinds, from the three-week
summer camp that allows
students to immerse
themselves in the outdoor
classroom, learning from
both faculty and non-
academic professionals, to
a weekend trip to the
Mammoth Cave Region, and coursework that
incorporates field exercises, like Forest Ecology.
Students also experience and benefit from one-on-
one faculty interactions, initially through student
advising, then enhanced through the familiarity
developed by field trips, faculty accessibility, and in
some cases, having the same instructor multiple
times.
To top it off, since the program has been in
existence now for 18 years, there is a strong
network of former graduates working in natural
resources and environmental science jobs
What is unique about the NRES major?
(and how will it help you develop your career?)
Photos by Sarah Wightman

5
Graduates of UK’s natural resource program
have a wide variety of professional
opportunities in many different sectors and
disciplines. There are countless ways to approach
the search for a new job, some of which are listed
below. More can be found online:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/NRES/professional.
Government
♦ All Federal Jobs
♦ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
♦ National Park Service (NPS)
♦ National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
♦ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
♦ Commonwealth of Kentucky
♦ Lexington-Fayette Urban County
Consulting Industry
♦ Kenvirons
♦ Tetratech
♦ Stantech
♦ Third Rock Consultants
♦ Copperhead Consulting
Non Profit
♦ Bluegrass Pride
♦ The Association for the Advancement of
Sustainability in Higher Education
♦ Defenders of Wildlife
♦ World Wildlife Fund
Nationwide/Worldwide Environmental Job
Sites
♦ Society for Conservation Biology Job Database
♦ Texas A&M Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Science Job Board
♦ Society of Wetland Scientists Jobs Board
♦ Conservation Job Board
Seasonal Employment/Internships
♦Coolworks
♦U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
♦The Student Conservation Association
Professional Resources Upcoming Community Event:
Reforest the Bluegrass
Volunteer to participate in Reforest the
Bluegrass, an annual event that has planted
more than 185,000 tree seedlings since it’s
inception in 1999!
This year, Reforest the Bluegrass will be from
9 a.m.—1 p.m. on April 16, at Liberty Park.
Register online at
http://rtb2011.eventbrite.com/
Spotlight on Sustainability:
Earthships
Ever wanted to live “off the grid”? If so, you
should consider building an Earthship. An
Earthship is a building created based on the
principles of sustainability.
It is defined by six standards of construction:
♦ Thermal/solar heating & cooling
♦ Solar and wind electricity
♦ Contained sewage treatment
♦ Building with natural & recycled materials
♦ Wood harvesting
♦ Food production
These houses look like a part of the landscape,
not an obstruction of it. The original idea for
Earthships came from architect Michael
Reynolds, who has dedicated his life to
“radically sustainably living” and has himself
been living in an Earthship that he built since
1972.
In New Mexico, where Michael Reynolds lives,
there are entire communities of Earthship
homes. He has published several books on the
construction of what he calls “biotecture”, and
the impact it could have on the world.
Intrigued? Check out the website to learn
more: http://earthship.com/

6
Page 6
NRES Capstone Course 2010
Every fall the natural resources seniors take a class
called Senior Problem in Natural Resources (NRE 471)
with Dr. Larry Grabau, a class usually referred to as
“the capstone course.” The purpose of the class is to
give students the opportunity to work together and
apply the skills and information acquired in previous
courses to a real world natural resources problem. It
involves a lot of research, interviews, and data
collection and analysis, which culminates in a final
report and presentation. Near the end of the
semester, the students present their final product to
faculty, other natural resources students, and real
world professionals interested in the project. In the
past, topics have ranged from the elk reintroduction in
eastern
Kentucky to recreational impacts in the Red River
Gorge Geological Area.
This year, the senior's capstone project examined the
protection and creation of native wildlife habitat in
Fayette County, Kentucky. According to their final
report, improving wildlife habitat could provide a
variety of benefits to the community, including
slowing urban sprawl, improving water quality, and
creating a more sustainable natural ecosystem.
The team first assessed the current condition of
wildlife habitat in Fayette County, then did a suitability
analysis to assess which areas were most conducive
to habitat restoration. For the third step of the
project, the seniors administered a survey to
determine public opinions on wildlife habitat (the
results of which showed
overwhelming support for
habitat improvement),
and the final part of the
process involved creating
a handbook and brochure
as educational materials
to the general public on
wildscaping, or
landscaping one's own
yard with
native species in a way
that's conducive to
wildlife.
From the results of their research, the team of seniors
also created a series of recommendations for the
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government
(LFUCG). Some of the numerous recommendations
made in their final report
includes LFUCG beginning a process of preserving
lands for wildlife habitat restoration, including making
partnerships with surrounding counties to do the same
and buying lands for the express purpose of wildlife
habitat protection. The report also suggested a
partnership between LFUCG and UK Cooperative
Extension to distribute wildscaping educational
materials, offering a free or low cost wildscaping
consulting service, and adopting a wildscaping
certificate program.
Through this course, the NRCM seniors learned how
vital teamwork can truly be, especially on extensive
projects such as this. They also developed written
and oral presentation abilities beyond what most
students are expected to achieve as undergraduates.
This allowed the seniors to develop applicable skills
and get a taste of what it's like to be a natural
resources professional. They are also planning to
The students created this map of Fayette County using the skills they
learned in NRE 555, a class about Geographic Information Systems.

7
Page 7NRCM/NRES Newsletter Spring 2011 www.ca.uky.edu/nres
An aspect that originally intrigued me about the
NRCM degree was the multi-dimensionality of the
program. Where most courses of study tend to
focus on increasing proficiency in a narrow field,
the NRCM program allows students to gain a broad
knowledge base across multiple disciplines. Fields
like ecology and economics, soil science and
hydrology, that may initially seem disconnected,
are interwoven to form a foundation from which
numerous paths can begin. While many of my
contemporaries in the NRCM program have
directed their efforts toward career paths dealing
with the technical science aspects of the field, my
interests have led me to focus more on the issues
of policy and the burgeoning field of sustainability.
Due to these areas of interest, my search for an
internship was focused on private environmental
consulting firms in the area, as well as
governmental offices at both the state and local
levels. Through months of networking with friends,
family, and yes, even professors (essentially
anyone who would listen to me) I was able to
secure a position with the LFUCG Department of
Environmental Quality.
Working in the Division of Environmental Policy
under Tom Webb, Senior Program Manager for
Environmental Initiatives, I will have the
opportunity to work on a diverse array of projects.
The Environmental Initiatives component of the
Division is
responsible for developing and implementing
programs relating to air quality, litter and
recycling, EPA grant administration, energy
efficiency programs, and, the project that I am
most interested in,
brown field
redevelopment.
The Division has
recently acquired
funding through the
USEPA and KDEP to
perform preliminary
site selection for
cleanup of brown fields
contaminated by
petroleum. This
selection process will
then lead to Phase I
and II assessment of
identified sites allowing for the acquisition of
cleanup grant funding in the future. As this
program is in its initial
phases, I am getting firsthand knowledge of the
procedures required to acquire federal funding for
such projects and the steps necessary to satisfy
the terms of EPA grants. I will also get hands on
experience with site identification and EPA
assessment protocol as the project moves forward.
I feel that the knowledge and experience I gain in
this position will greatly enhance my ability to
secure a position with either a government agency
or environmental consulting firm upon graduation
Student Internship: Shawn Rice
Did you know?
If you purchase a “Nature’s Finest” Kentucky license plate, $10 of the cost goes toward the
Heritage Land Conservation Fund. And you get to pick from three awesome designs!
By Shawn Rice

8
NRCM 2010 graduate Sarah Wightman took
advantage of as many opportunities as she could
both in the classroom and outside of it while she was
studying at UK. As a transfer student from Hope
College, Sarah had to hit the ground running her
junior year, so she devoted herself to learning as
much as she could and took her classes seriously.
After her first year at UK, Sarah interned with the
Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection's
(KDEP) Division of Compliance Assistance (DCA),
developing publications to help entities like gas
stations and hazardous waste generators comply
with environmental regulations. She also developed
an extensive guide to help sporting event venues
“go green” and adopt practices that save money,
conserve natural resources, and contribute to a
more sustainable local economy.
Throughout her undergraduate studies at UK, Sarah
also established herself in the world of natural
resources beyond just a diploma, seeking jobs
related to her major in order to add real world
experience to her resume. Sarah worked with Dr.
Rieske-Kinney and Melanie Antonik in the UK
Entomology Department conducting invasive species
field work throughout Kentucky. She also helped
establish, develop, and write the NRCM/NRES
Newsletter and other publicity materials under the
supervision of Dr. Mary Arthur, Chair of the NRES
Steering Committee. Sarah currently works in the
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department
at UK with Steve Higgins and Amanda Gumbert on
the Cane Run Watershed Project, managing the
Watershed Based Plan, editing extension
publications, and doing watershed restoration
fieldwork.
Sarah's favorite part of the NRCM degree was the
variety of classes and the caliber of the professors,
who she says are all very intelligent, accessible, and
easy to work with. Her concentration in the NRCM
program was Environmental Policy and Planning, and
she also minored in French. Now that she's
graduated, Sarah's next step is thinking about
graduate and law school. She said she would like to
pursue a master's degree in environmental/
watershed management and a law degree with an
emphasis in an emphasis in natural resource policy
and law.
Her advice for current natural resources students is
to always be on the lookout for internships, jobs,
and research experiences that coordinate with their
future career goals. “Be open to new experiences
that may not be exactly what you are looking for.
Sometimes those experiences can open your eyes to
Sarah Wightman was the editor of both previous
issues of the NRCM/NRES Newsletter, and she did
an excellent job laying down the ground work and
developing the content of this publication.
Since Sarah’s graduation, the torch has been
passed on to junior NRES student Sandy Broadus,
who is responsible for the current issue. Sandy’s
focus areas are Field and Laboratory Analysis of
Ecosystems and Forestry.
Sandy is also in charge of the upkeep of the NRES
Facebook Page, so if you have any suggestions of
content that you’d like to see included, feel free to
contact her at san.marie@uky.edu.
Student Highlight: Sarah Wightman

9
Page 9
You may know Dr. Larry Grabau as the instructor of
NRE 301, Natural Resources & Environmental Science,
one of the first natural resource classes NRES
students are exposed to once deciding on the major.
Dr. Grabau has restructured the course since taking it
on as the instructor in 2004. As an introductory class,
NRE 301 is designed to provide incoming and
prospective students an idea of what the major is
about, and what the current natural resources issues
are that we face today. Dr. Grabau invites a variety
of guest speakers to his class to show students the
different aspects of professionals in the field, from
Monte McGregor who works with freshwater mussel
restoration, to Will Bowling with elk and deer
population, and Steve Greb, who talks to the students
about coal management in Kentucky.
Seeing a need for more education about karst
environments, he set up a two-day field trip to the
Mammoth Cave Region to teach the students about
karst ecology and its interactions with human uses
like recreation, agriculture, and industry. While away,
the students stay in cabins and cook breakfast and
dinner for each other as a group. Many students take
guitars or frisbees for the down time, and often
there's a bonfire at night. Aside from summer camp,
NRE 301 is arguably the best social bonding
experience that many natural resources students
experience, giving them a foundation of familiar and
friendly faces for the rest of their years at UK.
NRE 301 also serves as the NRES program's means of
satisfying the university's graduation writing
requirement. Students pick their own topics for a
series of papers for the class, and participate in a final
team project that focuses on a natural resource issue
in Kentucky. The atmosphere of the class is relaxed
and inviting; class participation and discussion of
issues is encouraged. Some students who took the
class in Fall 2010 commented that they had truly
learned to respect the views of
others who had opposing
points of view.
Dr. Grabau also teaches NRE
471, the senior capstone
course, featured on page 6 of
this newsletter.
Lynn Phillips teaches GEO 285,
Introduction to City and
Regional Planning in the UK
Department of Geography.
Under the new NRES curriculum,
the class is available as a choice
under the “Human Dimensions
and Natural Resource Planning”
Environmental Systems
Emphasis Area. Lynn is currently finishing her PhD in
Urban and Public Affairs from the University of
Louisville, and her true love and research interests
are in rural land preservation.
GEO 285 teaches students about the historical and
legal dimensions of city planning in the US, and
students who take the class will also study zoning,
subdivision regulations, historic preservation,
transportation planning, environmental conservation
and local land use regulatory approaches toward
sustainability. Students are also required to attend
two local government planning commission meetings,
as this is where most development decisions are
made, and simultaneously gives students the chance
to see democracy in action. Lynn Phillips has been a
member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County
Government Planning Commission since 2004, and
therefore has an understanding of current local
development issues and is able to engage students in
the process and outcomes of Planning Commission
decisions.
GEO 285 is where "the rubber meets the road"
because it explains how development occurs, and how
communities can do better jobs at facilitating
sustainable development. This is especially important
in the Bluegrass region, where our signature
landscape sets us apart from other places in the
Midwest.
Students have said that they are able to see the built
and unbuilt landscape differently after taking GEO
285, and interpret and experience development
differently as well.
Lynn Phillips also teaches GEO 485G, Urban Planning
and Sustainability, which is a follow-on class to GEO
285. It provides greater detail, including review of
academic research on issues of sustainability, and
Featured Course: Introduction to
City & Regional Planning
Featured Course: Natural Resources
& Environmental Science

10
Page 10
I graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 2006
receiving a degree in NRCM with a concentration in Plant and
Soil Science. I am currently employed by the Kentucky
Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources at the Salato Wildlife
Education Center as a Conservation Education Program
Leader. I coordinate the calendar of events for Salato,
conduct school programs for the many kids who visit us on a
school field trip and create educational activities that
promote hunting, fishing or boating.
While in school during the
summer months of 2005, I
completed my internship at
the Salato Center. I gained valuable information about native
plants, habitat and learned about working with the public in
environmental education. My internship opened the door for a
future job opportunity. I have been employed with the Salato
Center for almost five years gaining wonderful experiences on
the job that have enhanced my career. Since graduation, I have
become a certified environmental educator in Kentucky and a
certified interpretive guide with the National Association for
Interpretation. These are just a few of the professional
development opportunities out there that you can complete
before
graduation. Currently, I am working on my Master’s in
environmental science at Kentucky State University. I plan to
continue educating the public on the environment and reaching
younger kids to help them find their connection to nature.
Alumni Highlight: Kristy Stroud
Can you offer an internship or career
opportunity to NRES students?
UK’s NRES Program is a great source for qualified candidates! We have
many students and recent graduates who are ready to gain hands-on
experience in the natural resource and environmental science fields.
Contact us today, and we will send your announcement through our
student and alumni list serves and post it on campus.
For more information, please contact Dr. Mary Arthur, NRES Steering
Committee Chair, at marthur@uky.edu.
By Kristy Stroud

11
I started at the University
of Kentucky in the fall of
1988. Throughout
college I worked for the
Girl Scouts of the USA
teaching outdoor and
environmental education
in the summers. Growing
up on a farm in rural
Indiana I had spent a lot
of time in the woods both
recreating and working,
but for some reason I
had never considered
pursuing a profession
that allowed me to work
outside. After
considering several other
majors, I wandered into the TPC Forestry building
my
junior year and found exactly what I needed. In
1993 I got to be part of the first class to graduate
with what was then a degree in Agriculture
specializing in Natural Resource Conservation. I
also minored in Agronomy and immediately after
graduation started working in a soil chemistry lab
at the College of Agriculture, studying acid mine
drainage.
Even though the research I was assisting with was
highly intriguing I quickly realized that being inside
all day every day wasn’t what I wanted for my
career. In 1994 I took a downgrade in pay to
accept a seasonal laborer position with the
Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. In
addition to clearing and maintaining trails and
exotic plant removal, the job with KSNPC was my
first introduction to fire. I was sent to fire training
and spent several weeks constructing prescribed
burn control lines. Although the weather
conditions to implement the prescribed burns
didn’t
occur, my interests were piqued. While at KSNPC,
I made contacts with county forest rangers with
the Kentucky Division of Forestry and in 1995 I
took another seasonal position as a county crew
leader during spring fire season.
Thanks to my B.S. degree, by October of 1995 I
had secured a full time permanent position as the
Perry County Forest Ranger in Hazard, Kentucky.
Averaging about 100 fires per year, my career in
fire had produced both physical challenges and
mental challenges. It was the perfect mix of
strategy (knowing the woods and the weather to
contain wildfires) and physical exertion (being able
to implement the strategies). In the summer of
1998 I took a 6 month leave from the state to
work as part of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Logan Interagency Hotshot Crew. With the crew, I
worked fires in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming
and Montana and was privileged to see some of
the most beautiful scenery
anywhere.
In 2001 I started working
with the USDA Forest Service
and am now the Assistant Fire
Management Officer on the
Daniel Boone National Forest
(DBNF). I am proud to be
part of an agency so rich in the history of caring
for our public lands. As part of my duties in fire
management I have had many
opportunities to work with researchers, including
Dr. Mary Arthur, studying fire ecology questions
on prescribed burns on the DBNF.
I would encourage current students and recent
graduates to keep an open mind and actively seek
out learning opportunities. Career decisions
should be based on your passion and not on the
paycheck. Doing what you love will provide you
with rewards
and
Alumni Highlight : EJ Bunzendahl
By EJ Bunzendahl

12
Dr. Mary Arthur is a
Professor of Forestry. Her
research addresses topics in
forest ecology including
forest change, prescribed
fire, and invasive species.
Dr. Chris Barton is an
Associate Professor of
Forestry whose research
focuses on stream
restoration following
disturbance such as
agriculture, mining, and
logging.
Dr. Mark Coyne is a
Professor in the Plant
and Soil Science
Department, whose
research includes
bioremediation and
waste application.
Dr. Elisa D’Angelo, from
the Plant and Soil
Science Department,
studies soil microbial
ecology with biochemical
and molecular
techniques.
Dr. Mike Lacki is a
professor of wildlife
ecology and management
in the Deparment of
Forestry. His research
includes bat roosting
habitats and prey-
Dr. Larry Grabau is a
Professor of Plant and
Soil Sciences and focuses
his research on organic
and sustainable grain-
cropping systems.
Dr. Greg Halich, an
Assistant Extension
Professor of Agricultural
Economics, focuses his
work on grain crop,
grazing, and timberland
economic analysis.
Dr. Craig Infanger is a
Professor of Agricultural
Economics and has
researched the impacts of
natural resource policies
on agriculture throughout
the world.
Dr. Brian Lee, an
Associate Professor of
Landscape
Architecture, applies
geospatial analyses to
watershed-based land use
planning.
Dr. Jack Schieffer is an
Assistant Professor of
Agricultural Economics.
His research explores the
intersection of
environmental policy and
agriculture and the
relationship between law
Attention Alumni!
Where have you taken your Natural Resource degree from UK? Wherever
you are today, we would love to hear about your internship, travel
experience, or career.
Please contact Dr. Mary Arthur (marthur@uky.edu) to share your experience
with other natural resource students.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Science program is composed of
faculty from a variety of disciplines, and the following faculty are currently
available for student advising.

spring2011NRESnewsletter

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