On behalf of Wisconsin Wildlife Federation members, I visited with avid outdoorsman Adam Payne and discovered a kindred spirit who Governor Tony Evers appointed in late December to be the new Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources effective January 3, 2023.
Sharing family hunting and fishing photos, Payne said, “I’ve been fortunate to have good luck over the years, but my most memorable hunts are when I sat next to my son and daughters.”
Like many of us Federation members, that’s something he learned from his father, a long-time educator at UW-Stevens Point, who stressed the values of healthy habitat, clean water, and quality time outdoors with family and friends.
“My brother and I used to trap a lot when we were kids and in our early twenties, primarily muskrats, mink, and raccoons, along the Wisconsin River in Plover,” Payne said, “but I haven’t done so for a number of years now.”
Governor Evers said, “Adam has deep Wisconsin roots and understands that our vast and valuable resources—from our waterways to our farmlands—are core to who we are as a people and a state. He is an outdoorsman, a conservationist, and has been a strong, successful leader for Sheboygan County. I know he will bring that same dedication and spirit of service to this role as secretary.”
As Payne shared photos, he noted, “We also have always enjoyed camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. More recently, paddle boarding. Any time in the woods or on the water is always time well spent.”
Looking at one particular photo he spoke with a pride and admiration familiar to many Federation members, and not just about his son Forrest or daughters Abby and Rachel.
“The photo from our rifle hunt this year is with my 82-year-old uncle Glenn, who got the biggest buck of his life this year, plus me, my son Forrest and his girlfriend Courtney,” Payne said. “My daughter Abby and my wife Kris prefer to fish, although they have both deer hunted with me as well.”
Despite the many Great Lakes fishing success photos and pictures with turkey, deer, bear, and other game, Payne, a bowhunting enthusiast, says humbly, “I haven’t shot a buck with a rifle in a number of years because I’m generally sitting with my daughter Rachel or getting my uncle in position. My primary passion is bowhunting.”
The new DNR Secretary’s passion for all natural resources and conservation is evident in both his public and private comments, and in his actions.
One Sheboygan County Highway Department source said that Payne is an outdoorsman and very concerned about the environment and public safety, noting involvement with several conservation projects in the area. He also said that Payne takes time to listen and to foster teamwork. Not that everyone agreed all the time, but he said they could speak frankly with Payne and know they were being heard.
As retired West Bend Public Works Director Rick Heisler, a volunteer firearms safety and hunter education instructor, said when he shared that source’s input, “Seemed to be positive and encouraging comments from a person who has worked with him for the past several years.”
Privately, Payne talks about bipartisan collaboration, sound science, clean air and water, healthy fish and wildlife habitat, grassroots public participation, and looking forward to hearing from citizens, local leaders, and DNR professional staff in every part of the state. Even before his January 3 start date, Payne began communicating with agency employees, conservation leaders, Natural Resources Board members, and a lot of well-wishers who were pleasantly surprised by the appointment.
Payne had applied about four years ago and was a finalist, but Preston Cole was selected as the DNR Secretary. As Payne was preparing to retire from his Sheboygan County Administrator’s job after more than 20 years of service, he saw news of Cole’s retirement and re-submitted his resumé. The Governor interviewed him on a Tuesday and offered the DNR top job during that last week of December when it was announced that Payne accepted.
People speculated about whether the administration had asked Cole to resign, but other insiders told me that Cole’s announcement came as a surprise, and he simply wanted to retire after many years of service. He spent decades serving the public and natural resources here, beginning with his early career as an urban forester, then Milwaukee public works administrator, and beloved member of the Natural Resources Board of Wisconsin, eventually serving as its Chair. When he was introduced before speaking to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress at its first annual meeting since he became DNR Secretary, Cole was greeted with an unprecedented level of applause before he even made it to the podium.
The natural resources community that knows Payne has already expressed a similar optimistic anticipation for the new Secretary.
His official public statement said, “It is an honor to accept Gov. Evers’ appointment to serve as Secretary of the DNR. I have always had a passion for protecting and enhancing our natural resources and am an avid outdoorsman. I look forward to working with a strong and diverse team of DNR staff, the Board and its many partners and stakeholders to problem-solve, protect, and enhance our natural resources for people today and for generations to come.”
As with Cole, there is cautious optimism. Retired DNR Law Enforcement administrator Tom Thoresen, an ongoing advocate for hands-on hunter education training, said, “Whoever is the DNR Secretary they need to be open, transparent, and strong at building partnerships.”
Former DNR Secretary George Meyer said Payne is “an excellent choice.” He said his past interactions with Payne have been very positive.
Adding to public optimism is Payne’s understanding of fish and wildlife issues as well as agriculture, and where conservation practices can bring producers and outdoor enthusiasts together.
His Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning is from UW-Madison, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, but his personal and professional experiences include serving as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association and Director of the Farmland Preservation Program at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
He worked on his grandmother’s farm in Sheboygan Falls. Originally from Stevens Point, he moved to Plymouth and raised his family. The Governor’s announcement said, “As Sheboygan County Administrator, Payne led the county through two major conservation projects, including cleaning up the Sheboygan River and Harbor and purchasing and preserving the Amsterdam Dunes, which encompasses 328 acres of undeveloped shoreline along Lake Michigan.”
It said, “As county administrator, Payne has served as the chief administrative officer, coordinating and directing county-wide administrative and management functions, initiating program and policy changes, working with state government for the betterment of the county, and leading Sheboygan County’s annual budget development process.”
Payne’s leadership style includes giving credit to others. Referring to the list of Sheboygan County environmental achievements like a successful stewardship program and water quality buffer program, he said, “Though there’s always room for improvement, I’m proud of our county’s track record and, of course, it took a lot of good people and collaboration to see them through.”
WWF Past President Lil Pipping knows Payne and said he’s a good guy with good experience who has helped get good things done in Sheboygan County.
Resumé aside, a person’s photo album can also be revealing to Wisconsin Wildlife Federation members and others. In Payne’s case, it’s also reassuring for those of us who want to pass along our outdoor heritage and healthy Wisconsin natural resources to future generations.
by Mark LaBarbera