Demmer Scholars

The William A. Demmer Scholars Program encompasses a senior-level class on advocacy in natural resources and a 13-week internship in Washington, D.C. The Demmer Scholars Program is led by Mark Rey, Executive in Residence in the MSU Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Designed to articulate the history, policies and significant impacts that the Boone and Crockett Club has had on conservation in North America, the program provides opportunities for MSU undergraduate and graduate students to become paid interns at federal and non-governmental organizations focused on natural resources.

Advocacy in the Natural Resources Arena (ANR 491) reviews the types of advocacy groups operating in the natural resources arena, tools and techniques used in environmental advocacy, tactics commonly used in advocacy campaigns, and ethical questions that often arise during advocacy work.

Past guest have included:

David Anderson, former assistant director, Office of Management and Budget
Felicity Barringer, senior environmental correspondent, The New York Times
Sarah Bittleman, deputy assistant secretary of the Interior for Congressional Affairs
Glen Caroline, director of grassroots programs for the National Rifle Association
Larry Craig, former U.S. Senator from Idaho
Frank Gladics, professional staff member, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Bill Meadows, president of the Wilderness Society
Mark Pawlicki, director of government affairs for Sierra Pacific
Steve Quarles, former deputy undersecretary of the Interior
Lynn Scarlett, former deputy secretary of the Interior
Ed Shafer, former secretary of Agriculture
Dave Tenny, president of the National Association of Forest Owners
Suzanne Thomson, director of mail programs, Warfield & Walsh
Chris Wood, chief operating officer, Trout Unlimited
Mark Rey, Executive in Residence in MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

As an integral part of the Demmer Scholars Program, students in ANR 491 are placed in 13-week, full-time internships with natural resources agencies or nongovernmental organizations working in the natural resources policy arena in Washington, D.C. Through these internships, students get real world experience, see the principles taught in the classroom applied in practice, and make valuable career contacts for future educational and employment opportunities.

 

Education

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