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"It is important to focus
attention on open spaces and give people a voice in
what the future of Wisconsin open space should be
like."
On Feb. 6, 2001, Governor Scott
McCallum appointed Darrell Bazzell as Secretary of
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Since then, Bazzell has been a visible advocate for
natural resources management, environmental protection,
and outdoor recreation in urban areas.
Bazzell believes that parks
and natural areas in our cities provide significant
environmental benefits. They also help connect
people with nature and are central to the quality
of life in our urban areas.
In a recent speech to environmental lawyers, Bazzell
outlined key principles guiding DNR staff in their
work. These include partnerships, sound science, regulation
and innovation, and integrated management of resources.
These principles underlie Secretary Bazzell's interest
in the Community Open Space Partnership. Such partnerships
will be a hallmark of DNR policies and programs in
the 21st century. We have a much better chance of
tackling difficult issues if we bring all the key
players together and explore the possibilities.
Bazzell's roots are in urban
Wisconsin, where he graduated from Milwaukee’s
North Division High School before earning a Bachelor
of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Those roots have given Bazzell an appreciation for
the environmental, economic, and social challenges
facing urban areas and underlie his interest in community
open space, which he deems an important part of the
urban fabric. Such quality of life issues will
be even more important as the state seeks to attract
high tech businesses and their employees.
Aside from his leadership
of the DNR, Bazzell has been active in numerous community
service and professional organizations. He is the
current president of the Wisconsin Association of
Black Public Sector Employees and is a Big Brother.
In his free time, Bazzell hunts, fishes, bikes, and
hikes in Wisconsin’s outdoors.
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