MADISON, WI. � The state Natural Resources Board elected Dr. Christine Thomas as chair for 2007. Also elected were Jonathan Ela as Vice Chair and John Welter as Secretary.

Thomas, Board Chair, is Dean of the College of Natural Resources and professor of resource management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the largest undergraduate program of its kind in the United States. In addition to her role as a university educator, Thomas developed a program that teaches women outdoor skills, "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman." Thomas has received numerous awards for her educational and conservation pursuits, including Educator of the Year by Safari Club International and Woman of the Year by the American Sportfishing Association. Thomas was appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle to serve on the Board through May 1, 2009.

Jonathan Ela, Board Vice-Chair, is a conservationist, retired from multiple regional and national positions with the Sierra Club. He also served on the staff of then U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, helping to establish the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and protecting the St. Croix River under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. He was appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle.

John "Duke" Welter, Board Secretary, is an attorney in Eau Claire Wisconsin. Welter has served as chapter president, state council chair, and national trustee of Trout Unlimited; and as a member of the Eau Claire County delegation to the Conservation Congress. Welter has been actively involved in state conservation issues including groundwater protection. He was twice appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle and will serve on the Board through May 1, 2011.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NR Board) sets policy for the Department of Natural Resources. Elections took place at the Board�s January 24^th meeting in Madison.

Current members of the Board are Christine Thomas, Plover; Jonathan Ela, Madison; John Welter, Eau Claire; Gerald O�Brien, Stevens Point; Howard Paulson, Palmyra; Dave Clausen, Amery; and Jane Wiley, Wausau.

Chapter 15 of the Wisconsin Statutes delineates the formal duties of the seven-member board. Board Members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. Three members each must be selected from the northern and southern portions of the state and one member serves "at large." Terms expire on May 1.

The Board meets monthly, except for July and November, on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Board meetings are held at the DNR Building in Madison except for April through October when meetings are held in different locations around the state. These locations are listed on the NR Board calendar.

The meeting agendas are posted two weeks prior to each meeting and minutes are posted from previous meetings after Board approval. For more information about the state Natural Resources Board, go to: http://intranet.dnr.state.wi.us/int/nrboard/ .

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