SUNY ESF
Program Profile Dr. Joshua Millspaugh
Legacy of Partnership with Camp Fire Conservation Fund Brings Dr. Joshua Millspaugh to ESF
By Karen B. Moore
ESFʼs new Camp Fire Conservation Fund Professor in Wildlife Conservation Dr. Joshua
Millspaugh brings a dedication to wise stewardship and the use of the best available
science, while preparing future conservation leaders for challenges theyʼll face in
their careers.
Millspaughʼs appointment continues ESFʼs strong relationship with the Camp Fire Conservation Fund. It also creates a full-circle moment for Millspaugh, himself an ESF alumnus who received his B.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology in 1991.
Since 2016, Millspaugh has been the Boone and Crockett Professor of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Montana. Prior to Montana, he was a Distinguished Professor and interim director of the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He received his Ph.D. at the University of Washington and completed a postdoc in the School of Fisheries at the University of Washington and holds an M.S. in Wildlife Science from South Dakota State University.
The Camp Fire Conservation Fund professorship was established at ESF in 2017 through
generous support from the Camp Fire Conservation Fund, the non-profit organization
that provides financial support for the conservation activities of the Camp Fire Club
of America. Millspaugh will lead a research program that involves graduate students,
establishes expertise in the ecology and management of big game species, and cultivates
partnerships in wildlife conservation.
“This endowed professorship provides ESF the opportunity to expand the education and research programs needed to equip the next generation of wildlife scientists.” said Brenda Greenfield, assistant vice president for Development at ESF. “Weʼre deeply appreciative of the generous philanthropic support of the Camp Fire Conservation Fund and thrilled to welcome Dr. Millspaugh back to ESF to take on this important role.”
Much of Millspaughʼs work centers on building robust and high caliber research and teaching programs around pressing conservation issues that directly impact wildlife policy and management decisions. His goal is to ensure wise stewardship and application of the best available science, while preparing future conservation leaders for challenges they will face in their careers.
“The Camp Fire Conservation Fund has a tremendous legacy and a history of incredible conservation work. There are great opportunities to partner with them to enhance student education and research programming,” said Millspaugh.
The Camp-Fire Club of America was founded in 1897 by prominent hunters and conservationists. The Clubʼs history is steeped in wildlife and habitat conservation including the reintroduction and recovery of the American Bison, several landmark federal game protection laws, and the establishment of National Parks and Forest Preserves. The Camp Fire Conservation Fund was founded in 1977 to fund scientific research and education in support of sound wildlife and habitat management. The Club and the Fund have a decades-long partnership with ESF in supporting forest and wildlife research, and conservation training programs.