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Project Coordinator--Wildlife Damage
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
414 Hardin Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0974
402-472-8961
svantassel2@unl.edu
Stephen Vantassel is the new Project Coordinator of Distance Education for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources. Stephen fills the position vacated by Dallas Virchow, who moved to Wildlife Services in November of 2003. Stephen brings to the position a unique set of experiences. He achieved a B.A., Class of ’87, in Biblical Studies from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts and a M.A.T.S., Class of ’89, in Old Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in S.Hamilton, Massachusetts. He worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for several summers and eventually became a Lab Instructor for the Emergency Medical Technician Class at Springfield College.
All the while, Stephen maintained his interest in the field of animal damage control. He became one of the first Problem Animal Controllers in the state of Massachusetts and one of the first nationally Certified Wildlife Control Operators. He founded Wildlife Removal Service, Inc., headquartered in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts which he eventually sold it in 1998. He also founded the Massachusetts Association of Problem Animal Controllers, which continues to this day.
Stephen has discussed topics related to wildlife damage control on television, radio and in public settings. But his greatest impact is to be found in the area of publishing. He has articles published in a variety of magazines and newsletters including, but not limited to, The Probe, Fur-Fish & Game, Trapper & Predator Caller, Animal Damage Control, etc. He is a former Assistant Editor and staff writer for Wildlife Control Technology Magazine and continues to write for them. He has also published two books, both of which underwent expansions, The Wildlife Removal Handbook, rev. ed. And the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook rev. ed. Stephen’s publishing also extends beyond the printed page to the web, where he had a “Living with Wildlife” column on Suite101.com.
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Stephen in an attic |
Stephen has a Doctorate in Theology. His dissertation was entitled, A Theological, Ethical, and Scientific Evaluation of the Christian Animal Rights Movement's Opposition to Wildlife Trapping. He believes that his academic training coupled with “real-world” animal damage control experience provides him with a unique perspective on this controversial topic.
Stephen is excited about the opportunity to work here at the University of Nebraska. He sees it as a chance to provide appropriate animal damage control advice to an even wider audience.
Stephen is happily married to Donna Vantassel who works as a Critical Care Nurse for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. Both, along with their indoor cats “Kasper” and "Cricket", live in Lincoln.
Others may be found at University Publications
I. CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Wildlife Control Professional (CWCP) 2001.
Academy Certified Professional (ACP) 2007.
Nebraska Certified Pesticide Applicator, Categories 00 & 14. Since 2004.
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Dr. Stephen M. Vantassel's new book. Published April, 2009 by Wipf and Stock. |
II. TRAINING:
Vertebrate Pest Conference. Vertebrate Pest Council. CA. 2006, 2008.
Wildlife Control Technology Annual Seminars (http://www.wctech.com). 2005-2009.
Wildlife Damage Management Conference, Wildlife Damage Management Working Group of the Wildlife Society. 2006.
“Working with the UNL IACUC.” May 5, 2005. Research Training.org.
First Massachusetts Wildlife Control Seminar. September 20, 2003.
MAPAC. Marlborough, MA.
Fifth New England Wildlife Control Seminar. March 23, 2002. CT NWCO Association. Meridan, CT.
“Water Level Control Devices to Address Flooding Caused by Beavers.” June 30, 2000. Bureau of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, Session Woods, CT.
Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference. College Park, PA. 2000.
Massachusetts Trapper Training. Mass. Division of F & W. South Hadley, MA.
Massachusetts Hancock & Bailey Beaver Trap Training. 1996.
Mass. Division of F &W. Belchertown, MA.
First Eastern Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator’s Shortcourse. February 21-23, 1994. Lexington, KY. Hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service and the Dept. of Forestry.
III. WILDLIFE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE:
A. FIELD:
Massachusetts Lic. Problem Animal Controller 1982-2004.
Connecticut lic.NWCO 1994-6.
“Preliminary Investigation of Pocket Gopher Trap Efficiency.” 2005-Present.
Founder of Wildlife Removal Service Inc. 1994-98.
Animal Control Officer for the City of Springfield, MA Oct, 93-Dec 95 & Chicopee 95-1998. Involved in the Mid-Atlantic Rabies Epidemic.
Animals controlled/trapped: Bat, Beaver, Canada Goose, Chipmunk, Crow, Eastern Mole, Feral Cat, Feral Pigeon, Flying Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Hairy-tailed Mole, House Mouse, House Sparrow, Muskrat, Opossum, Pocket Gopher, Raccoon, Red Squirrel, Shrew, Snapping Turtle, Starling, Striped Skunk, Star-nosed Mole, Vole, Woodchuck, and Woodpecker.
B. INTERNET:
Webmaster of www.icwdm.org 2004-present.
Wildlife Damage Management Community of Practice with eXtension.org 2006-present.
Webmaster of www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com 1998-2004.
Wildlife Damage Expert for Allexperts.com since
Pest Control 10/22/2000
Pests 10/22/2000
Animal Rights 1/3/2001
Wildlife DC 10/11/2006
IV. PRESENTATIONS:
A. NEBRASKA PRESENTATIONS:
“Effective Box-Trapping.” May 23, 2007. Master Gardener Training. UNL-East Campus.
Presenter at the “Nebraska Outdoor Expo” at the NGPC fur-trapping booth. May 11-12, 2007. Kearney, NE.
“Wildlife Damage Call in Radio Show.” 99.5 KUTT Radio. April 13, 2007. 1.5 hours of questions and answers on wildlife damage issues.
“Wildlife Damage Management for Vineyards.” Tenth Annual Nebraska Winery and GrapeGrowers Forum and Trade Show. March, 3, 2007. Kearney, NE.
“Mitigating Health Threats in Wildlife Damage Management.” Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference. January 24, 2007. Lincoln, NE.
Moderator for Public Health Group. Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference. January 24, 2007.
Lincoln, NE.
“Advanced Box Trapping Techniques.” Nebraska Turfgrass Association Annual Meeting, January 9, 2007. Omaha, NE.
“Vertebrate Pests” for Educating the Educators; Technology Transfer for the Burgeoning Midwest Grape Industry. Kimmel Education and Research Center. November 2, 2006. Nebraska City, NE.
B. REGIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
Keynote Speaker, “State of the Industry—Issues and Developments”; “Inspection Techniques” and “Passion for the Industry.” Third Annual Colorado Wildlife Control Operators Association Conference. February 11, 2006. Denver, CO.
“Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management: Update.” WERA-95. November 7, 2006. Reno, NV. Invited speaker.
C. NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
Wildlife Control Technology Seminar, 2007, 2009.
“Monthly Conference Call with A All Animal Control Franchise Owners” December 7, 2006.
“Protecting Trees from Wildlife Damage.” Walnut Council Annual Meeting. July, 31, 2006. Nebraska City, NE.
“The New ICWDM.” 22nd Vertebrate Pest Council Conference. March 9, 2006. Berkeley, CA
“Bailey Beaver Trap: Modifications to Improve Capture Success.” 22nd Vertebrate Pest Council Conference. March 8, 2006. Berkeley, CA.
“The New ICWDM.” Wildlife Control Technology Conference. February 7, 2006. Las Vegas, NV.
“Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management.” WCOradio.com Podcast. Episode 16.
“Moles, Voles, Mice and Other Varmints.” March 20, 2004.
Connecticut Master Gardeners Association. Manchester, CT.
“Animal Rights.” April 29, 2000.
NYS Wildlife Management Association. Albany, NY.
Panelist in Ethics of Hunting: A Debate at St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut on
February 29, 2000.
D. INTERNATIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
The Ethics of Wildlife Control in Humanized Landscapes—A Response. 23rd Vertebrate Pest Conference. San Diego, CA. March 20, 2008.
Conflicted Consumers: Wildlife Damage as an Opportunity to Teach Environmental Principles to a Confused Public. Pathways to Success: Human-Wildlife Dimensions Conference. Estes Park, CO. September. 29, 2008.
V. PUBLICATIONS:
A. BOOKS:
Vantassel, S. 2009. Dominion over Wildlife? An Environmental-Theology of Human-Wildlife Relations. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2009.
Vantassel, S. 1999. Wildlife Removal Handbook: A Guide to the Capture and Control of Urban Wild Animals, rev. & exp. Self published. ISBN 0-9668582-0-4
Vantassel, S., T. Olander. 2001. Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook rev. & exp. Self-published. ISBN 0-9668582-4-7.
Vantassel, S. 2002. A Beginner’s Guide to Mole Control Using NoMol Traps. Wildlife Control Supplies.
B. ARTICLES:
Ferraro, Hygnstrom, and Vantassel. 2007. Bats in and around Structures. NebGuide G1667. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Vantassel, Hygnstrom, Ferraro, and Sam Wilson. 2007. Controlling Raccoon & Opossum Damage. NebGuide G1688. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Vantassel, Hygnstrom, Johnson, and Ferraro. 2006. Bat House Construction and Installation. NebGuide G1575. University of Nebraska Extension, Lincoln, NE.
Vantassel, Hygnstrom, and Ferraro. 2006. Bait Stations for Controlling Rats and Mice. NebGuide G1646. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Vantassel, Stephen. 2006. “The New Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management.” Fur Taker Magazine. 42:2 (February) p.23.
Vantassel, Hygnstrom, and Ferraro. 2006. Bait Stations for Controlling Rats and Mice. NebGuide G1646. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Vantassel, Stephen. 2006. “The Bailey Beaver Trap: Modifications and Sets to Improve Capture Rate.” Proc. 22nd Vertebrate Pest Conf. (R.M. Timm and J.M. O’Brien, Eds. University of Calif., Davis. pp.171-3.
Vantassel, Stephen. Scott Hygnstrom, Paul Curtis, Robert Schmidt, Greg Yarrow, and Raj Smith. 2006. “The New Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management.” Proc. 22nd Vertebrate Pest Conf. (R.M. Timm and J.M. O’Brien, Eds. University of Calif., Davis. pp. 489-491.
Other Extension Publications
Vantassel, S. 2008. Job Selling Strategies. 15:2 (March-April) Wildlife Control Technology. pp. 42-3.
Vantassel, S. 2008. Artful Persuasion. 15:3 (May-June) Wildlife Control Technology. 34-35.
Hygnstrom, S., P. Curtis, R. Schmidt, G. Yarrow, R. Smith, and S. Vantassel. eXtension: a new opportunity for on-line issue-based programming. Pages 45-48 In R.M. Timm, editor. Proceedings of the Tricentennial Meeting of the Extension Fish and Wildlife Specialists.
Vantassel. 2007. “Choosing a Digital Camera.” 14:2 (March-April) Wildlife Control Technology. pp.24-5.
Vantassel. 2007. “Digital Camera Accessories.” 14:3 (May-June) Wildlife Control Technology. pp. 36-7.
Vantassel. 2007. “Rozol Information Sheet.” Private Applicator Study Guide. University Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. p.5.
Vantassel, Hygnstrom, and Ferraro. 2006. “Tips on Removing Skunk Odor.” No.3. Massachusetts Wildlife. pp.9-15.
Vantassel. 2006. “Stephen Vantassel.” Extension Wildlife and Fisheries: People, Places, and PROGRAMS. 11th Triennial Extension Wildlife And Fisheries Specialists Conference. October 14-18. pp. 63-66.
Vantassel. 2006. “Drift Fences for Snakes.” 13:4 (July-Aug) Wildlife Control Technology. pp.16-17,41.
Vantassel, and Hygnstrom. 2006. “Removing Skunk Odor.” 13:2 (Mar/April) Wildlife Control Technology. pp.22-5.
Vantassel. 2006. “Identification of Turf & Grass Landscape Wildlife Damage.” February. Acreage & Small Farm Insights Newsletter.
“Living with Wildlife Editor” for Suite101.com Oct 1, 1998-May 27, 2006.
C. VIDEOS:
Backyard Wildlife—13-Lined Ground Squirrels and Voles DVD 54 minutes $14.95 +S&H.
Backyard Wildlife Podcasts were posted on the main iTunesU page 6/4/2008. On that day alone over 144GB of data was downloaded
VI. AWARDS
2008 NWCOA Wildlife Damage Educator of the Year
2008 (Fall) University of Nebrasaka-Lincoln School of Natural Resources Staff Recognition Award.
VII. OTHER WILDLIFE DAMAGE CONTROL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES:
Q.& A. Column writer for Animal Damage Control from December-1993 to January 1995.
Asst. Editor of Wildlife Control Technology Magazine, March-April, 1999-2001.
Founder of Massachusetts Association of Problem Animal Controllers in December, 1993. Registered with the state in 1996
Former NWCO Correspondent for the National Animal Damage Controllers Assoc.
Articles published in The Trapper-Predator Caller, Animal Damage Control, Probe, Wildlife Control Technology, Fur-Fish-Game, Condo Media, Pest Control Technology, American
Society of Home Inspectors, NACA NEWS.
VIII. OTHER LIFE EXPERIENCES:
Project Coordinator at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 2004-present. Emergency Medical Technician, licensed in Massachusetts. Hospital Orderly, Johnson Memorial Hospital. Stafford Springs, CT. 1990-1991.
I. ACADEMIC TRAINING:
2008. Ph.D. Theology (with Distinction). Trinity Theological Seminary. Newburgh, IN.
1987-1989. M.A.T.S. Old Testament. Summa Cum Laude. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. So. Hamilton, MA.
1983-1987. B.A. in Biblical Studies and Philosophy. Summa Cum Laude and Pike Honors Scholar. Gordon College. Wenham, MA.
II. ACADEMIC AWARDS & SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS:
Hebrew Award: Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 1989
Biblical Studies Award: Gordon College, 1987
Phi Alpha Chi “Lovers of the Truth of Christ”, Inducted 1987.
III. TEACHING AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
A. CHURCH:
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Hampden, MA 413-566-5572
Preached numerous times and taught various adult Bible Study classes.
B. ACADEMIC:
Adjunct Faculty at Trinity College & Seminary. Newburgh, IN. June, 2002-Present
Special Education Teacher Chapin Alternative Program, Chicopee Public Schools 2003-2004.
Massachusetts Certified High School Teacher. 2000.
Taught Language Arts and Math.
Tutored students of all ages.
Assisted academically challenged high school students.
Lead Teacher for At-Risk Teens at Children's Study Home which was subcontracted by
the Springfield Public School System. Jan, 2001-2003.
Taught Exploring Biblical Literature at Holyoke Community College, 2000.
Visiting Professor at Midlands Bible Institute, Wolverhampton, England. Nov. 1993; Feb. 2003
Temporary Faculty for Berkshire Inst. for Christian Studies Dec. 1990 and Sept. 1991.
Faculty for Zion Bible Institute in R.I. Fall, 1989. Courses taught: N.T. Survey,
Pentateuch and Theology II.
IV. MINISTERIAL AND CROSS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE:
Elder and Chairman of the Board, for Bethlehem Baptist Church 2004
Deacon for Bethlehem Baptist Church Mar. 2000-Sept. 2003.
Minister of Pastoral Care at Christian Life Center Feb. 1992- Feb. 1994.
Student Chaplain: South Shore Hospital 55 Fogg Rd. S. Weymouth, MA 02190. Rev.
Rosemary MacKay. Supv. Fall, 1991.
Medical Officer for Project Amigo’s Trip to Costa Rica, 1987.
Institute for Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem. June, 1986.
Nursing Home Ministry. Blueberry Hill Nursing Home. Beverly, MA 1986-7.
V. PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES:
Panelist in Evolution vs. Creation Debate at Wilbraham United Church, Wilbraham, MA Jan 25, 2004. 7-9 P.M.
Panelist in Ethics of Hunting: A Debate at St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut on February 29, 2000.
Leader of Evangelical
delegation to the Seminarians Interacting plenary meeting “Religious
Perspectives on Plenty and
Responsibility.” Stony Point,
NY. April 2-5, 1989.
Participation in Holy Cross-G.C.T.S. Dialogue. Sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Oct. 11-13, 1988.
“Role of Women in the Church” at the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Stony Point, N.Y. March 6-8, 1988.
VI. PUBLICATIONS:
"A Biblical Assessment of Andrew Linzey's View of Animal Rights" Emmaus Journal 12(2003): 177-195
"EMS Stress Training Concept 'Kobayashi Maru' Scenarios" Domain Spring, 2003.
“Ministering to Preacher’s Kids” Discipleship Journal July,/August, 1995.
“Celibacy: The Forgotten Gift of the Holy Spirit” The Journal of Biblical Counseling. Spring, 1994.
“The Benefits of Philosophical Studies in Christian Education.” Educator. April 1991.
“An Overview of Vander Goot’s Hermeneutics.” Church Divinity. Sept. 1988.
Asst. Editor and Contributor to the Spectrum. G.C.T.S. 1988-89.
Book Reviews for
Paraclete; Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. March
2003; Emmaus Journal
Dec, 2003.
C.S. Lewis’
Dangerous Idea: Review Emmaus Journal Vol 12:2 pp. 320-321.
VII. OTHER LIFE EXPERIENCES:
Webmaster of www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com 1998-2004.
Emergency Medical Technician, licensed in Massachusetts.
Assistant Editor for Wildlife Control Technology Magazine 1999-2001.
Founder of Wildlife Removal Service Inc. 1994-98.
Former NWCO Correspondent for the National Animal Damage Controllers Assoc.
Hospital Orderly, Johnson Memorial Hospital. Stafford Springs, CT. 1990-1991.
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