MSU’s Belant to serve on National Wildlife Services Committee
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EmailJerrold Belant, professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at MSU, has accepted United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack’s invitation to serve on the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee.
East Lansing, MI – Jerrold (Jerry) Belant, professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University, has accepted United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack’s invitation to serve on the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee (NWSAC).
“It is an honor to be entrusted with the responsibilities of this appointment,” said Belant. “I am appreciative of the numerous individuals and institutions that have provided me opportunities that will allow me to fulfill the duties of this committee: to work with other committee members, USDA Wildlife Services and Secretary Vilsack toward the resolution of human-wildlife conflicts with a broader goal of improving coexistence between people and wildlife.”
Established in 1968, the NWSAC advises Secretary Vilsack on policies and activities for the USDA’s Wildlife Services program. The NWSAC serves as an open forum for diverse interests to have a voice in the policies, guidance and strategic planning for Wildlife Services. Belant will be joining a diverse group of 20 committee members representing a broad range of interests in agriculture and wildlife fields, including stakeholders in academia, plant and animal agriculture, state wildlife agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs), among others. NWSAC members are appointed for two-year terms and can serve up to three consecutive terms.
Belant earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and his Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. His areas of expertise and research include large carnivore ecology, sustainable use of wildlife, landscape-level effects of human activities and human-wildlife conflict resolution. His work is supported by MSU AgBioResearch, which conducts leading-edge research in the environment, food and health.
“Dr. Belant’s research and expertise in fields of conservation and sustainable wildlife management have earned him a place among these impressive committee members,” said George Smith, MSU AgBioResearch director. “It’s exciting to see an MSU AgBioResearch scientist seated on the NWSAC.”
Belant also holds the title of Boone and Crockett Chair of Wildlife Conservation, an endowed position jointly supported by MSU and members of the Boone and Crockett Club that addresses critical issues in wildlife conservation.
“Jerry Belant is an exceptional colleague, and we’re proud that he has been named to the NWSAC,” said Gary Roloff, chair of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. “I believe that the committee and our nation’s leaders in Wildlife Services will benefit from his insights.”
