Welcome to the new WCHF Governor Christine Thomas! Christine filled a vacancy created when Governor Jane Wiley moved out of state. The Board of Governors is independent from the WCHF Board of Directors. The Governors have the important role of reviewing WCHF nominations and making recommendations to the Board of Directors for induction.
Christine Thomas retired as Dean of the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2020. In addition to her role as a university educator, Thomas developed the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, designed to teach women outdoor skills. In 2005, Thomas was appointed by the Secretary of Interior during the George W. Bush administration to serve on the Sporting Conservation Council. Currently, Thomas is Senior Vice President for Conservation for Ducks Unlimited and member of its Board of Directors, as well as a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club. In 2010, she was appointed by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture in the Obama administration to the position of vice chair of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage and Conservation Council. She was appointed by Governor Doyle serve on the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board, serving three years as chair. Christine was inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame in 2017.
Jane Wiley served as a WCHF Governor from 2016 through 2019. She was a member of the DNR Natural Resources Board. She was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle and served from January of 2007 until April of 2015. She has always been involved in outdoor activities and organizations including appointments to the Wisconsin Rustic Roads Board, the Governor’s Bicentennial Bicycle Committee and the WDNR Stewardship Advisory Committee. She was elected to the Madison City Council during the tumultuous Vietnam era and after moving to Wausau, Wisconsin, the Marathon County Board of Supervisors. Jane has an MS in Zoology from Tufts University and an MA in Guidance and Counseling from UW-Madison.