Wetland, wildfowl certificate program draws first class from four states

Bennett, who grew up in the Independence County community of Charlotte, Arkansas, is among the four students recruited for a unique graduate certificate program being offered through a partnership among the Five Oaks Ag Research and Education Center, the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Much of the learning will take place at the Five Oaks Duck Lodge in Humphrey, Arkansas, owned by George Dunklin, Jr., former Arkansas Game and Fish Commission chairman and member of the Ducks Unlimited board. Another part of the training will take place on the UAM campus. The new class took part in an orientation at Five Oaks in March.

“This is a great example of a public/private partnership and I could not be more thrilled to be involved with UAM and the U of A System Division of Agriculture,” Dunklin said. “This class will forever be the first class of graduates of this program. I am very impressed with each and everyone of them and can’t wait to get started.”

The students of the 2021-22 inaugural class are:

• Bennett, who graduated in May with a BS in natural resource management from UA-Monticello

• Delanie Warren, who graduated in May with a BS in rangeland ecology and
  management from Texas A&M in May 2021

• Katherine Allen of New Roads, Louisiana, graduated from Louisiana State University in
  May with a BS in natural resource ecology and management, and

• Cole Howard, who graduated with a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State
  University

“These students are so talented,” said Douglas Osborne, associate professor at UA-Monticello and director of the Five Oaks Agriculture Research and Education Center, who will lead teaching and research for the class. Osborne’s PhD is in wildlife ecology. “Our field is so competitive and what George is doing to help students is incredible. We’re going to bring these students in and find their strengths and their weaknesses. We want them to become super marketable and pursue careers in wetland and waterfowl management.”