Headlines From The Outdoors

Michigan United Conservation Clubs received word earlier this morning that the announcment would be forthcoming on the new Director for the newly-created Department of Natural Resources and Environment. The "official" announcement is expected to come at 1 p.m. but we've been able to confirm that Rebecca Humphries will be the new DNRE Director.

For those who haven't followed the issue, a few months ago Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued an Executive Order that would eliminate the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality and a creat a new DNRE with a Director appointed by the Governor. MUCC stressed its concerns to the Governor that any Director chosen must have a hunting and fishing background to ensure that fish and game management issues be given the proper treatment.

With Director Humphries' background as a hunter and angler combined with her experience in natural resources management, we're satisfied with the choice and it will be interesting to see how the new DNRE operates.

MUCC's Dave Nyberg and Gabe VanWormer will be meeting with Director Humprhies this afternoon to get an exclusive interview on her thoughts about this new position and the direction the DNRE will take. So check back this evening for that footage.