A Prince George resident has been named to one of the highest ecological science posts in North America.
It was announced on Tuesday that Dr. Winifred Kessler is the new president of The Wildlife Society, based out of Bethesda, Maryland. The society is an organization built on conservation initiatives based on sound science. She is only the second woman to hold the post in its 75-year history.
"A member of TWS since 1973, Kessler has promoted science-based wildlife management and conservation throughout a long career in both Canada and the United States," said a TWS written statement.
"It is a great honor to begin my presidential term during The Wildlife Society's 75th year, and to promote a sustainable future for wildlife resources in North America and worldwide," said Kessler. "As the second female president of TWS, I'm especially encouraged by our growing ranks of women, students, and members of diverse backgrounds. Diversity is as important for the future of our profession as it is for the ecological systems we study and manage."
Kessler was lauded by TWS for her academic credits followed by a 40-year career with the U.S. Forest Service. She served as the Forest Service's National Wildlife Ecologist from 1986 to 1990 and retired in 2010 as the Alaska Regional Director for Wildlife, Fisheries, Ecology, Watershed, and Subsistence Management.
In that time she also taught at multiple universities, including as the founding chair of UNBC's forestry program. She served the university from 1993 until 2000 but continues to reside in area just north of Prince George.
In 1997 she earned British Columbia's Academic of the Year award for developing natural resources education at UNBC, and for 15 years she has been serving on the board of the British Columbia Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, including two terms as chair.
