4 minute read
From The Secretary
Greetings,
My name is Karen Hyun, and as you may have seen, Gov. Tony Evers recently appointed me as the newest secretary of the Department of Natural Resources. The opportunity to lead this organization and serve the people of Wisconsin is an incredible honor and privilege.
Wisconsin is known for its world-class natural resources, wildlife and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Our thousands of miles of rivers and streams, 15,000 lakes, spectacular public lands and the many ways people enjoy them make our state a special place to call home. What’s more, the outdoor opportunities persist throughout the year — in Wisconsin, there is no off-season for outdoor recreation.
Although new to the DNR, I’ve spent my career working on natural resources, stewardship, environmental policy and conservation issues. I have spent much of my life dedicated to understanding, conserving and promoting the natural resources and spaces we all know and love.
Prior to my appointment, I served as chief of staff of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration since 2021. Before that, I held several roles across multiple federal agencies, including as deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks at the Department of the Interior.
Outside of government service, I’ve worked as the director of water and coastal policy for the National Audubon Society, where I coordinated initiatives focused on coastal resilience, marine conservation and coastal stewardship before becoming the organization’s vice president of coastal conservation in 2018.
Looking Forward
The Wisconsin DNR has a wide variety of responsibilities, more than similar agencies in many other states. Still, our foundation is simple — we’re here to ensure that we safeguard and provide access to safe water to drink, clean air to breathe and exceptional opportunities to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. Each of these is a priority for Gov. Evers and will be for me in my role as DNR secretary.
Achieving this vision starts with an incredible staff. I firmly believe any organization’s greatest asset is its people, and I’ve already seen that to be true here at the Wisconsin DNR.
As secretary, I will support and encourage our staff to be the experts they are in their respective fields. I’ll lean on their experience and expertise to make the decisions necessary to ensure that Wisconsin’s ecosystems, wildlife, natural spaces and resources remain accessible, safe and available for future generations.
However, as you know, we can’t do it alone. Protecting our natural resources for everyone requires us all to be part of the solution.
I look forward to working with the DNR’s strong and diverse team, the Natural Resources Board, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and our many partners and stakeholders to leave things better than we found them for the future.
Lastly, I look forward to working alongside you, the people of Wisconsin, our visitors and everyone who loves our state and its incredible natural resources. It’s through, for and because of you that we do this work. For that reason, I want to extend an open invitation to share your feedback with us here at the DNR.
Enjoy this issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, and I hope to see you at one of our state properties as the Wisconsin State Park System celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025!
Donate To Support Conservation
If you’re filing your state taxes soon, don’t forget to support the DNR’s Endangered Resources Fund in the process!
Just find the “donations” area on the Wisconsin tax form and check the Endangered Resources Fund box to give. You also can look for the donations section in your tax software program or let your tax preparer know you want to give.
Donations are tax-deductible and matched by the state dollar for dollar to help fund work that supports the state’s vulnerable plant and animal species.
