Lowell Klessig, professor of human dimensions of natural resource management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s (UWSP) College of Natural Resources, has not only shared his energy and ideas with students and faculty, but the state, the nation and other countries have benefited from his work since his arrival on campus in 1980.

With retirement planned in August, Klessig is leaving behind a mission to promote sound, scientific and citizen-based lake management for Wisconsin�s 15,000 lakes through his work at UWSP and UW-Extension. "My message has been straightforward . . . with proper training in organizational leadership and lake ecology, citizens can be effective partners with local and/or state government," said Klessig.

His work has earned him the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership and the Visionary Leadership Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of Extension Service Professionals. Last year he received the 25-Year Service Award from the United States Department of Agriculture. In 1997 Klessig was featured in "Distinguished Service: University of Wisconsin Faculty Helping to Build Organizations in the State."

During his time at UWSP he has been both a teacher and trip leader to Poland, Germany and Costa Rica. He has shared his expertise overseas in China, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Hungary and the Philippines.

In addition to classroom teaching, he has lectured and written for three decades on lakes management and lakes organizations. Some of his best known works include, "The Guide to Wisconsin�s Lake Law" and "Acid Rain in Wisconsin." He wrote the first issue of "Lake Tides" newsletter in 1975 and continued to edit the newsletter for 20 years.

In 1986 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Federation of Lakes and the Wisconsin Association of Lake Districts. Klessig chaired the organizing committee in the late 1970s that ultimately gave birth to the North American Lake Management Society. He has lent his expertise to the Wisconsin Legislature, county boards, city councils and other governmental and nongovernmental organizations involved with lake conservation.

Klessig earned bachelor�s, master�s and Ph.D. degrees from UW-Madison. In addition, he earned a master�s degree from Vanderbilt University. While much of his teaching has

Focused on lake management, he also has promoted sustainable land use planning, woodlot management, citizen participation in natural resource issues and leadership development. He has been involved with the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program since its inception in 1983 and helped to organize the Wisconsin Leader Institute in 1998. He also helped to begin the Wisconsin Woodland Leaders Institute last year. Much of his research through the years has focused on the importance of balance in sustaining communities.

During his retirement, Klessig plans to be an advocate for Wisconsin�s natural resources, to travel, write, raise beef cattle, and paddle and fish when time permits. He is contemplating the start of a consulting and drafting service for people who want to leave something other than money in the form of a Legacy Document. Klessig envisions people leaving a formal record of their life experiences, family history, directed messages and other nonmonetary assets to loved ones.

He and his wife, Christine, will continue to reside in Amherst Junction.

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