An Outdoorsman’s Journal

By: Mark Walters

Life Changes

Hello Everyone, I, Selina, will be writing this week’s column to fill you in on some pretty big life changes I have undergone recently.

On December 16th I graduated from UWSP with a double major in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and Water Resources, minors in Soil Science and Biology, and a Wetland Science certificate. I know that is a mouthful, but I never tell people all the things because it is, and now is my chance! (It was a lot of work so I’m taking this opportunity.) I am also proud to announce that I was selected to receive the Chancellor’s Leadership Award upon my graduation, an award given to students who exemplify strong leadership skills and self-growth during their time at UWSP.

Graduating was extremely bittersweet. I truly loved my time at UWSP and could not imagine myself having attended another university. As far as natural resources education goes, I do not think UWSP can be beaten. The number of programs and opportunities available through the school are incredible. I believe what makes UWSP so special though is the professors and faculty who continually go above and beyond for their students. I consider many of these people to now be friends, and plan to keep in touch with them throughout my career. It has also been very exciting yet difficult to watch my friends grow up alongside me. Many of my natural resource friends are like me and dispersing all over the U.S. chasing their own dreams.

By the time this has been published I will be moved out to Missoula, Montana! I was incredibly fortunate and landed a full-time permanent position out there as a Fish and Wildlife Consultant Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Consultant Biologists work with other federal agencies who are planning to modify federal land where endangered species are present to minimize the impact of their modification to the species. I know that sounds really confusing so here is an example of something I could run into. Example: the U.S. Forest Service wants to log a section of National Forest but they need to build a logging road that will cross a stream that contains Bull Trout. It will be my job to add insight to where would be the best location and what would be the best way to build the road with having the least amount of impact to Bull Trout. I quickly want to note: I actually didn’t even apply for this position. After I completed my job in Arizona this summer, my resume was sent around and the supervisor out of the USFWS office in Missoula called me. Now the rest is history! I do want to acknowledge that there were many people who aided in this transition and I would not have been able to do it without them.

As excited as I am to move out to Montana, I would be lying if I said it is all happy emotions that I’m feeling right now. I have been extremely fortunate to live with or very close to my best friends for the last four and a half years. My closest girl friends have been like the sisters I never had and I know I will never lose that relationship with them but, it is bittersweet to watch it change. Moving away from my family is going to be the most difficult. In all honesty I don’t even really know how to put it into words.

It would be inappropriate for me to not include a section on my Dad. I think my Dad has been the most impactful person to me and is a large part of the person that I am today. You may know, I went on my first camping trip when I was only a few months old and that was not just a one-time deal. In a lot of ways, I was raised surrounded by the outdoors. From a young age my Dad taught me the importance of conservation, utilizing and appreciating natural resources. While our mission was always to harvest something on our countless hunting and fishing trips, I think the real goal of his was simply for us to appreciate time together outdoors. He is 62 but you would never know it. He is extremely hardworking, always has a positive attitude, contributes to his community regularly, and is one of the craziest people I know. He is also one of the coolest and best people I know and I aspire to be like him.

I love Wisconsin and the life I have here. There are countless people that have helped me become the person I am today and have pushed me towards success. I will forever be grateful for my time spent, lessons learned, and connections made at UWSP. As sad as I am to leave, I am very excited to start this new chapter of my life!

You can’t stop time so you might as well make the most of it!

Selina

Selina with her friends from UWSP after a fun morning electrofishing.

Selina graduated from UWSP with a double major, two minors, and certificate as a first generation student in December 2023.

Mark’s influence on Selina had a large impact on her career decisions.