International Wolf Center Curator Lori Schmidt Receives Prized Science Award

March 27, 2014

Contact:
Tom Myrick, communications director
International Wolf Center
3410 Winnetka Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Office: 763-560-7374 ext. 225
Cell: 763-560-7368
Tom Myrick

International Wolf Center Wolf Curator Lori Schmidt has received the Dr. Janet S. Boe Memorial Award.

According to the Minnesota Chapter of the Wildlife Society, few natural resources instructors have the width and depth of resource employment experience or the landmark teaching and mentoring work with students that Lori does. The award recognizes a professional woman or outstanding female graduate or undergraduate student who exemplifies the consummate natural resource scientist.

“We are quite fortunate to have such a distinguished biologist as our wolf curator,” said the International Wolf Center’s Executive Director Rob Schultz. “Lori brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and dedication to the Center and her students at Vermilion Community College. I cannot imagine anyone else more deserving of this award!”

Schmidt has been the curator at the Center in Ely, Minnesota, since 1989 and an instructor in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Department at Vermilion Community College (VCC) since 1990. After receiving her associate of applied science degree in natural resource technology from VCC in 1983, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1994 and her master’s from Lakehead University in 2000.

Since 1982 Lori has served as a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife research technician, NASA forest biomass research assistant, St. Louis County Land Department forestry technician, University of Minnesota research assistant for the Forest Biodiversity Project, a wildlife biologist for the Minnesota Power Ecological herpetofauna Assessment Project and a Contract Forester Writing Northern White Cedar Conservation Assessment.

For more than 20 years, Lori has worked tirelessly to coordinate between VCC and other agencies to broaden her students’ professional experience and provide hands-on labor to resource professionals throughout the state. Under Lori’s mentorship the VCC Wildlife Club has engaged in substantial wildlife field work including wildlife surveys, prescribed fire, fire suppression, waterfowl bag checks and disease monitoring for the DNR in Tower and Ely.

She coordinates student attendance at the semi-annual brush cuts for the Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Society and escorts her students to meetings of professional natural resource societies (The Wildlife Society, Society of American Foresters and others) on a regular basis. Many of her students have been top-notch wildlife management interns for the Minnesota DNR and other agencies. In addition, many now work for the DNR as wildlife staff, foresters and conservation officers.

According to the Minnesota chapter of the Wildlife Society, “Whenever there is an opportunity for student enrichment, Lori is there with students in tow. She has been an excellent instructor, co-worker and mentor for over 30 years making a significant difference in natural resource science in Minnesota.”

Lori is an avid hunter, angler and a consummate conservationist. Lori and her partner, Jim, make their home in rural Ely.

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Learn about the International Wolf Center at wolf.org. The Center, founded in 1985, is known worldwide as the nation’s premier source for wolf education. The mission of the Center is to advance the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future. The Center educates through its Web site, its ambassador wolves, museum exhibits, on-site adventure and outreach programs and International Wolf magazine. The educational facility is located at 1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731. (Phone: 218-365-4695), and the Center’s Administrative and Outreach offices are at 3410 Winnetka Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55427. (Phone: 763-560-7374).