When students return to classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison next week, many will no doubt be talking about upcoming classes and professors, and the national ranking of the UW football team.
Sadly, few will likely notice the loss of the Department of Wildlife Ecology.
What was the country’s first Department of Wildlife Management, founded by Aldo Leopold — who is considered nationally to be the “father” of modern-day wildlife management — has lost its independent department status.