University News

Conservation Biologist, an RPTA Alumnus, Seeks to Protect & Improve All Natural Areas One Project At a Time

June 1, 2023

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University alumnus and conservation biologist Steve Acuff remains dedicated to his research, findings and management of Cheatham Lake, as well as wildlife, forestry, fisheries and habitat management expanding across the middle Tennessee region.

Acuff, a 2017 and 2018 graduate of the Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) program from WIU, also minored in Outdoor Leadership.

"My RPTA curriculum really encompassed the plethora of skills a natural resource manager needs from conservation projects to outdoor ed, and even a law class by retired RPTA Chair Daniel Yoder," said Acuff. "I work for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as a Natural Resource Specialist, serving the Cheatham Lake project outside of Nashville (TN) as their Conservation Biologist. Before that, I started with USACE in the Quad Cities as a forestry technician intern and worked my way up to managing recreation areas up and down the Mississippi River."

Ranger Acuff performs far beyond the typical park ranger duties, focusing year-round on the management of natural resources and leading outreach programs.

In his day-to-day management, Acuff is known as an "environmental artist," and takes great responsibility in managing resources at Cheatham Lake. He collaborates with other park rangers to maintain 83 acres of wildlife, including lock and dam pollinator gardens and resources at multiple creeks including Sycamore Creek, Harpeth River, Marrowbone Creek, Sam's Creek, and TSU Trail. In addition to these responsibilities, Acuff is a certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture overseeing forest plans and timber stand improvement projects for best practices.

"I often assist in a number of different research projects involving invasive species monitoring and treatment as well as dendrochronology and endangered species monitoring," said Acuff. "As a public lands manager, I do all within our means to facilitate access to our lands, especially when there are ecological benefits."

Acuff remembers the Environmental Conservation and Outdoor Education Expedition (ECOEE) program and all the RPTA wilderness trips he sought at WIU, from sea kayaking in Mexico, canoeing around Canada, trout fishing, and everything in between.

"I continue to go back and speak in entry-level RPTA courses to support WIU students and provide them with knowledge and internship opportunities with USACE," said Acuff.

When asked what was one piece of advice he would give a current or future WIU student, Acuff answered to not be afraid to travel.

"Rarely do we get our dream jobs in our hometowns. Branch out - you can always work your way back," said Acuff.

Acuff now seeks the outdoors as a source of happiness and encourages those in the community to also help keep habitats sustainable.

"I am always outdoors, around trees and little critters and it makes me happy to improve habitat not only for plants and animals but for the benefit of all of us," said Acuff. "We are constantly losing natural areas so it's imperative to protect and improve what we have left."

For more information about WIU's RPTA program, visit wiu.edu/RPTA.

Posted By: Lexi Dittmar (aj-dittmar@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing