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DNR names Native American tribal liaison

Weekly News article published: January 22, 2013 by the Central Office

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has appointed a new Native American tribal liaison who will be responsible for coordinating tribal contacts and fostering relationships with all of the state’s native tribes.

Michele Allness has been in state service for 14 years, most recently working in the Office of Secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, where she served as tribal liaison and managed several programs including Travel Green Wisconsin. She began her state service with the DNR in 1998 in the water management program and subsequently worked as an environmental analysis and review specialist in the DNR Northeast Region. She served as the DNR liaison to the Department of Transportation and led the Northeast Region land use team for more than eight years. She moved to the Department of Tourism in 2008.

With her return to DNR, Allness will also serve as a policy advisor to the DNR land division, assisting in the development of a new habitat endowment initiative and special assignments for the land leadership team.

“It is a distinct pleasure to announce Shelly’s return to the Department of Natural Resources,” said Kurt Thiede, DNR Division of Land administrator. “It was a talented group of individuals from inside and outside the department that applied for the position and Shelly separated herself from the other candidates in what was a very competitive process.”

Allness is a native of Oshkosh and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography with a double minor in Environmental Studies and Geology. She is a graduate of Wisconsin Women in Government Graduate Seminar, a partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is serving her fourth year with the Dane County Environmental Council of which she is the chair. In addition, Shelly serves on the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council and is the chair of the council’s education committee.

Allness will begin her duties at DNR Jan. 28.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Thiede, 608-266-5833 or Bill Cosh, 608-267-2773