Dr. Hyun appointed to lead Wisconsin DNR

By Blake Jackson

Governor Tony Evers has announced the appointment of Dr. Karen Hyun as the new Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Hyun, who is currently the chief of staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), brings a wealth of experience in environmental issues to the role.

The DNR secretary position has remained vacant for over a year following the resignation of Adam Payne in October 2023. “Dr. Hyun’s extensive science background and expertise working in fish and wildlife, shoreline restoration, and coastal management and resilience will make her a great asset to the Department of Natural Resources and to our administration,” said Evers. “Having spent most of her career working in environmental policy, Dr. Hyun brings a wealth of experience navigating many of the issues the department is charged with managing every day, and I’m so excited for her to get started.”

Dr. Hyun, a Madison resident, has a strong educational background, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Earth Systems from Stanford University, followed by a doctorate in marine science from the University of Rhode Island. Prior to her time at NOAA, Hyun held significant roles at the National Audubon Society, where she worked as director of water and coastal policy and later became the vice president of coastal conservation in 2018.

Her career also includes experience in government service, having worked as a staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee. During the Obama administration, she served as a senior policy advisor to the Secretary of Commerce and as deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife, and parks at the Department of the Interior.

“I’m honored to accept this appointment from Gov. Evers to lead the DNR,” said Hyun. “Wisconsin is known for its abundance of natural resources, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities, and I have spent much of my life dedicated to understanding, conserving, and promoting the natural resources and spaces that we all know and love. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated DNR staff to ensure that Wisconsin’s ecosystems, wildlife, natural spaces, and resources remain accessible, safe, and available for generations of Wisconsinites to come.”

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