Kerry Reese, professor for the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho, received a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to research
and education.
The Wildlife Society inducted Reese as a Fellow of the Wildlife Society, along with 10 other professionals, in Milwaukee, Wis., at the annual TWS conference.
“I’m honored to receive this award and to have had the career that I did,” Reese said. “The UI is a world-class institution that has given me opportunities to work with professionals across the West and conduct meaningful research.”
To become a Fellow of the Wildlife Society, TWS requires at least 10 years of active membership in TWS and a distinguished professional record — including significant contribution to wildlife resources and
the profession.
Reese has been a member of TWS for 39 years, is active on many committees within the organization and served as the president of the Idaho chapter.
Reese is also a recognized leader in research. The majority of Reese’s research has focused on upland game birds that are threatened — particularly the Greater Sage-Grouse, Mountain Quail and the Colombian Sharptail
Sage-Grouse.
Reese has served on state and national expert panels concerning the management and conservation of species such as sage-grouse.
Reese joined UI in 1983 and became head of the Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2004.
Reese said that his 61 semesters at the UI have been a great time, and that he always knew he wanted to work in wildlife.
“I knew that UI was where I wanted to be,” Reese said. “I came from a hunting family, and I knew I wanted to work outside with animals, particularly birds. When I was about 15, my sister made fun of me because I wanted a bird feeder for Christmas so that I could watch birds
up close.”
Reese said wildlife offered all of those things he wanted. Reese received his undergraduate degree in biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1973, his master’s in wildlife biology from Clemson University in 1976 and his Ph. D. in wildlife science from Utah State University in 1983.
Of the 30 years at UI, Reese said working with students has been the most rewarding part, particularly graduate students.
“Our students are successful across the country, and I’ve enjoyed working with them,” Reese said. “I’ve enjoyed working with graduate students just because you are able to spend more time with them, and you build real relationships working in the field so much and having that close interaction. I’ve even had the opportunity to work with some of my graduate students professionally, which has been great.”
Reese has worked with 45 graduate students at UI, with four students yet to finish the graduate program.
Reese said working with students, doing research and being department head has allowed him to gain a lot
of perspective.
“After becoming department head, I got a much better sense of what the entire faculty does and more perspective of the breadth of what we do,” Reese said.
Reese will retire in
May 2014.
“I do feel that we have been able to contribute and make a difference with our research,” Reese said. “That is meaningful to me.”