Three finalists named for UW–Madison Arboretum Director

Three finalists have been named for the UW–Madison Arboretum Director position. The director will report to Marsha Mailick, vice chancellor for research and graduate education.

Selected by a seven-member committee chaired by Christopher Kucharik, UW–Madison professor of agronomy and environmental studies, finalists for the position are:

Damschen, Ellen, associate professor Department of Zoology at UW–Madison. Damschen’s research interests are in determinants of plant community diversity and how global change affects plant communities. Damschen gives a public presentation, “Understanding the future of plant communities by linking experiments, data, scientists, and stakeholders,” at 9 a.m. Feb. 16. The presentation was recorded.

Jackson, Randall, professor Department of Agronomy at UW–Madison. Jackson’s research interests are in structure and function of managed, semi-natural and natural grassland ecosystems. Jackson gave public presentation, “Ecological restoration research and deployment for a 21st Century land ethic,” at 9 a.m. Feb. 13. The presentation was recorded.

Karen Oberhauser, professor Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. Oberhauser studies monarch butterflies and works with teachers and pre-college students in Minnesota and throughout the United States using monarchs to teach about biology, conservation, and the process of science. Oberhauser gives her public presentation, “All hands on deck: Conserving a flagship species,” at 9 a.m. Feb. 20. The presentation was recorded.

The presentations provide an opportunity for each candidate to share his or her vision for the position. Presentations will be held in Room 1111 at the Biotechnology Center, 425 Henry Mall, and will be recorded. An online feedback form for finalists is also available at http://go.wisc.edu/c3b9ai. Feedback will be accepted until February 27.

“The UW–Madison Arboretum is known world-wide for efforts in restoring critical landscapes such as prairies and wetlands, and enriching lives through research such as studies into climate change impacts and stormwater runoff,” says Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Marsha Mailick. “It’s also an important destination for the local community as a place to explore and learn. I am looking forward to the next step in the process in choosing a new director for the Arboretum and I am very thankful for the work of the search committee and, in particular, committee chair Christopher Kucharik.”

“The Arboretum Director position generated a high level of interest that led to a diverse pool of strong applicants originating from UW–Madison and abroad,” says Kurcharik. “The search committee is excited about the Arboretum’s future given what we have already heard from the finalists.”