Forestry 

John Houghton, Ph.D.

Biography

John Houghton is an Associate Professor in the Forestry Discipline at the College of Natural Resources (CNR), University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (UWSP).

He instructs courses in the Introduction to Fisheries, Forestry, and Wildlife Resources; Resource Economics; Field Practices in Silviculture; Land Surveying; and People, Resources, and the Biosphere (a non-major environmental literacy course). Dr. Houghton’s diverse background in Resource Economics, Financial Management, and Forestry enables him to effectively teach a variety of upper-level resource management subjects as well. These courses have included Resource Policy and Law; Resource Administration; Forest Management and Finance; and Advanced Forest Management and Economics.

Professor Houghton’s teaching contains the right mixture of knowledge and humor that inspires learning. He truly enjoys his interaction with students as an Instructor, an Academic Advisor to 40 forestry students, and a Faculty Advisor to the Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

Formal Education

Ph.D. - Resource Economics, Michigan State University – East Lansing. 1979.

M.B.A. - Financial Management, Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo. 1970.

B.S. - Forestry, Michigan State University – East Lansing. 1969.

The general intent of Dr. Houghton’s educational program was the development of the analytical and managerial skills to interact in the forest resource management and business environments and to develop and communicate effective programs of management in these areas.

Career Highlights

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF FORESTRY, College of Natural Resources,

University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. August 1983 to Present. Teach courses related to Forest Economics and Forest Management including Forest Management and Finance, Resource Economics, and Resource Policy and Law; advise students in the Forest Management and Forest Administration majors; assist instruction of courses such as Forest Biometry and Integrated Resources Management.

ASSISTANT TO THE MANAGER OF WOODLANDS, Great Northern Paper Company, Millinocket, ME. October 1976 to August 1983. Coordinated and formulated the long-term
management plan for the Company’s 2.5 million acres of forest land; developed annual operations plans; conducted economic and financial feasibility studies for woodlands operations; coordinated activities with various Company departments; and cooperated with several government agencies and industry associations.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF FOREST PRODUCTS, University of Idaho – Moscow. July 1974 to August 1976. Joint appointment in the areas of forest products/business and forest resources. Taught forest policy and administration, forest economics, and special topics in forest business; advised students in the forestry and forest products field; developed forest business management program; and performed research.

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT, Michigan Stat e University – East Lansing.

January 1971 to June 1974. Conducted research related to the economics of timber management decision-making and instructed various courses as a Teaching Assistant.

Honors/Awards

UWSP University Teaching Excellence Award – 1989, 2003.

CNR Outstanding Faculty Award – 1987, 1994, 1998, and 2003.

Carl Alwin Schenck Award for Teaching Excellence, National Society of American Foresters – 1995.

Professional Associations

Member, Society of American Foresters – 1964 to Present.

University and College Service

Faculty Advisor, UWSP Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters, 1985 to Present.

Vallier Treehaven Chair of Ecology, 2001 to 2004.

Served on various College, University, and Faculty Governance Committees.

Courses


(2002-2003)
Forestry 319: Land Surveying
Forestry 725: Advanced Forest Management and Economics
Natural Resources 150: People, Resources, and the Biosphere
Natural Resources 250: Introduction to Fish, Forestry, and Wildlife Resources
Natural Resources 372: Resource Economics

Research


Dr. Houghton's research interests focus on the economic and financial feasibility analyses of resource management applications and human dimensions of
resource management and utilization.

Personal


Hobbies/Interests

Various outdoor sports, woodworking, and horticulture.