Karen Hyun Appointed Wisconsin DNR Secretary

Governor Tony Evers has appointed Dr. Karen Hyun as the new secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a position that has been vacant for over a year. Hyun, who will begin her role on January 27, previously served as chief of staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and brings extensive experience in environmental policy and resource management. This appointment marks the end of the DNR's longest vacancy in over 50 years, and Hyun is noted as the first woman and first Asian American to lead the department. Evers emphasized her expertise in fish and wildlife management, shoreline restoration, and coastal resilience as key assets for the role. The Republican-controlled state legislature will now consider her appointment, which has been complicated in the past by rejections of Evers' nominees. The previous DNR secretary, Adam Payne, resigned in October 2023 for personal reasons.