With two new members, and one conflict in the past, here's the Natural Resources Board
Laura SchulteMADISON - After years of contention, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has a majority of appointees selected by Gov. Tony Evers.
This seven-member board sets policy for the Department of Natural Resources, governing things such as the acceptable levels of "forever chemicals" in drinking water, wildlife management plans and other key decisions that the department enforces.
Board members are nominated by the governor for six-year terms, staggered to prevent boards from being completely appointed within one governor's term. Under the law, three members are appointed from the northern part of the state, three from the south and one member is "at large." At least one board member must have an agricultural background and at least three members must have held a hunting, fishing or trapping license in at least seven of the 10 years before nomination.
Members are confirmed by the state Senate, which reserves the right to reject appointments by the governor. But to take a seat on the board, appointees don't need to be confirmed, as long as the member they're replacing vacates the seat.
More:New DNR Secretary calls on Legislature to 'step up' in protecting the state's waters
More:Scott Walker appointee Frederick Prehn resigns from Natural Resources Board after over-staying term
Here's who sits on the board and what region they represent:
Sharon Adams, southern member
Adams is co-founder of the Milwaukee-based Walnut Way Conservation Corporation, a community development organization dedicated to economically diverse and environmentally sustainable neighborhoods.
While at Walnut Way, she fostered initiatives to implement storm water management, demonstrate healthy urban food production and introduce 4-H programming. She also has served as a board adviser for the UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and has advised the City of Milwaukee on policy issues affecting natural resources.
She was appointed by Evers in 2021. Her term expires May 1, 2027. She hasn't yet been confirmed by the Senate.
Paul Buhr, at-large member
Buhr is a former dairy farmer who still grows crops on his property in Viroqua. He was selected for his position on the board as a representative of the agricultural community, taking the spot from William Bruins, who unexpectedly resigned in December.
He said he's hoping to translate his experience as a farmer into informed decisions on issues like managing nutrients from farms, such as phosphorous and nitrates, that can get into drinking water and cause issues for residents. He also helps to raise awareness of the Driftless Area and champions its preservation.
Buhr was appointed in 2022 and will serve through May 2029. He hasn't yet been confirmed by the Senate.
Dylan Jennings, northern member
Jennings is a citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a doctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, according to the release. He is the associate director of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College, where he oversees the institute and the Hulings Rice Food Center.
He served two terms as an elected tribal council member for the Bad River Tribe and previously served as the director of public information for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. He holds a master's degree from the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and is working towards his Ph.D, studying traditional ecological knowledge.
Jennings was appointed by Evers in 2023, and his term will run through May 1, 2029. He has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.
Jim VandenBrook, southern member
VandenBrook served the executive director of the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association from 2012 through 2018, and served as the water quality section chief for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from 1986 to 2012. Prior to his role with DATCP, he served as a county conservationist in Vernon and Trempleau counties.
VandenBrook was appointed in 2023 and will serve through May 1, 2029. He has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.
More:Natural Resource Board appointees respond to questions on wolves, PFAS in confirmation hearing
Sandra Dee Naas, northern member
Naas is a teacher in the Drummond School District who also served as the chair of the Bayfield County Conservation Congress and the vice-chair of the Bayfield County Deer Advisory Committee for six years before stepping down after her appointment to the board. She also has her own business focused on soil conservation and is an avid outdoorswoman.
For the first nearly two years of Naas' term, she wasn't able to take her seat, due to former board member Frederick Prehn refusing to step down, though his term expired in May 2021. Prehn stepped down in December and Naas was able to sit for her first meeting as a part of the board in January.
Naas was appointedbyEvers in 2021. Her term expires May 1, 2027. She hasn't yet been confirmed by the Senate.
Bill Smith, northern member
Smith worked for the DNR for 35 years as an environmental engineer and in a series of management positions until he retired in 2013.
He's an avid hunter and angler who also enjoys making maple syrup and collecting wild rice. He previously served as the board director of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Foundation and the emeritus director of the International Crane Foundation.
Smith was appointed to the board in 2019 by Evers. His term expires May 1, 2025.
Marcy West, southern member
West served as the executive director of the Wisconsin Land Conservation Association, Inc., before working as the executive director of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, a 8,600-acre public property in southwestern Wisconsin. She led the reserve for 23 years, before being appointed to the board.
She is also an avid outdoorswoman, and she enjoys kayaking, hiking, turkey hunting and foraging for morel mushrooms.
West was appointed by Evers in 2020. Her term expires May 1, 2025.