Dan Ashe, the Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and SMEA alum, visited the UW on October 3 - 4, 2012 to present the 2012 College of the Environment Annual Dean's Lecture on "Wildlife in the Modern American Landscape." During his lecture, Mr. Ashe articulated the pressures on wildlife and their habitat today and in the near future due to climate change and population growth, as well as how the USFWS attempts to work cooperatively and creatively amongst the many interest groups to best alleviate these pressures for a more sustainable future for everyone. The following day, Mr. Ashe met with current students to answer their questions about his work and provide advice for their future careers. He also met with faculty from across the College and University and other community members. People enjoyed his candid and thoughtful answers and insights on very complicated topics, and appreciated his perspective as someone who started out as a UW graduate student long ago but who now has many years of high-level experience addressing these topics. We were honored by his lecture and visit and appreciated the knowledge he imparted upon our community.