Governor Tony Evers said on Friday that the director of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is stepping down after four years in the position.

Since Evers gained office in 2019, Preston Cole has held the position of secretary for the division. Wednesday marks Cole’s retirement, providing Evers with the chance to appoint a new head of the agency for his subsequent tenure.

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“Preston has been an integral part of my administration since day one, and we are sorry to see him go,” a statement from Evers read.

Britt Cudaback, Evers’ spokesperson, promised that a replacement would be announced as soon as possible.

Under Cole’s direction, the organisation has started PFAS pollution control measures, implemented a new wolf management plan that doesn’t place a cap on the number of wolves that can be killed, and prioritised clean water programmes.

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Who is Preston Cole?

American conservationist Preston Cole served as Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Governor Tony Evers’ cabinet. Cole has held the position of Chair of the State Natural Resources Board in the past. Governor Jim Doyle initially appointed him to the board, and Governor Scott Walker renewed his appointment.

Cole previously held the position of Commissioner for the Department of Neighborhood Services for the City of Milwaukee. Cole has previously served as the Department of Public Works’ Director of Operations for the City of Milwaukee.

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Additionally, he has worked as a forester for the Missouri Department of Conservation and the City of St. Louis’s parks superintendent.

Cole was the first African American to graduate from the degree programme and earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from the University of Missouri. In high school, Cole participated in Future Farmers of America.