Lowell Klessig

*Medley Park Press and Lukas Klessig manage this page on Lowell's behalf and using some of his self-descriptors.

Lowell Klessig led a life of action, ambition and accomplishment. He directly participated in the Civil Rights and Peace Movements. In addition, he became a celebrated conservation leader and environmental advocate in Wisconsin, the nation and around the world.

Lowell won the Wisconsin Idea Award and UW-Extension’s Teacher of the Year Award, among many other recognitions. His research and work served as the basis for several conservation laws. All along the way, he wrote, published and taught the ideas and lessons garnered from a multitude of experiences.

Lowell passed away in 2014 after a year-long battle with CJD - a rare neurodegenerative disease. This book is his first written chronicle of the anxiety, mania and depression that shaped his shortened life.

Some other selected highlights:

AWARDS:

US Department of Agriculture Career Service Award

Wisconsin Governor's Distinguished Service Commendation

Wisconsin Lakes Lifetime Achievement Award

Community Development Association Distinguished Service Award

Wisconsin Lake Districts Distinguished Service Award

Soil and Water Conservation Society Achievement Award

State Visionary Leadership Award

University of Wisconsin Meritorious Service Award

LEGACY:

Multiple Signature Pens from four Governors for key role in Wisconsin legislation.

50+ academic book chapters, journal articles and magazine features published.

Two prior books: 1. One Family's Forest & 2. The Elf Odyssey: National Security Versus Environmental Protection.

CAREER:

27 years as a professor of natural resources management and rural sociology for the University of Wisconsin system.

Extension educator/liaison for additional areas including acid rain, renewable energy, economic development and sustainable agriculture.

ACTIVE LEADER OF VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS:

Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program

Wisconsin Woodland Leaders Institute

Wisconsin Family Forests

Wisconsin Master Woodland Steward Program

Scenic Wisconsin

Science and Religion Task Force

Town of New Hope Planning Committee

Portage County Board of Adjustment

Sigurd Olson Institute

North American Lake Management Society

Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute

Wisconsin Lakes Convention

Wisconsin Lakes Partnership

DEGREES:

B.S. in Biochemistry (UW-Madison)

M.A.T. in Molecular Biology (Vanderbilt)

M.S. in Sociology (UW-Madison)

Ph.D. in Environmental Management (UW-Madison)

ROLES FOR PURPOSE:

Caretaker of 296 acres of Wisconsin land across four properties.

Unrelenting essayist and writer, sometimes poet. Hopefully with some favorable results.

Father of 2 boys, imperfect but caring husband, animal lover and respecter.

Explorer of 56+ countries and 6 continents, but who's counting?

Conservation pioneer and community-minded citizen who sought to live so that his epitaph would, one day, accurately read "He taught us to think."