George Meyer

1947 - 2025

Wisconsin Conservation Leader, Dies at 78.

George Meyer, 78, a pioneering force in Wisconsin conservation whose leadership shaped state and national environmental policy for more than fifty years, passed away in Madison on December 10th. As Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and later Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, he dedicated his life to protecting Wisconsin's natural resources and strengthening public stewardship.

Born in 1947 on a dairy farm in New Holstein, Meyer grew up with strong values of land stewardship, hard work, and faith. Because asthma limited his ability to farm, he turned to advocacy and public service. He earned a B.A. in Economics from St. Norbert College and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1972. While still in college, a tip about a part-time job at the DNR set him on the professional path he would follow for the rest of his life-and it also led him to meet his future wife, Jayne, partner of 52 years.

Meyer served as a DNR staff attorney from 1972–1980, using tools like the Public Trust Doctrine to protect Wisconsin's waterways and representing the agency in over 500 hearings. From 1980–1993, he led the Division of Enforcement, helping craft Wisconsin's nationally recognized wetland rules and guiding the state through major environmental conflicts, including treaty rights disputes, negotiating more than 40 agreements. Appointed DNR Secretary in 1993, he oversaw 3,000 employees and a $468 million budget, securing public lands, advancing brownfield cleanup, youth programs, recycling initiatives, mercury rules, and playing a key role in stopping the proposed Crandon Mine.

Meyer was admired for his humility and collaborative leadership, and he championed women in natural resources, increasing their representation in DNR leadership positions.

After retiring from state service, he taught at Lawrence University and became the first Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, where he continued his advocacy on issues such as Chronic Wasting Disease and deer management. He was especially proud of founding the Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps, a program that trains young conservation leaders statewide.

In his later years, he helped shape a landmark settlement involving the Vista Sands Solar project, setting a national model for balancing renewable energy and wildlife protection. In June 2025, the National Wildlife Federation awarded him its lifetime achievement award.

George is survived by his greatest loves, wife Jayne; daughter Jocelyn (Tony); son Andrew; grandson Laken. Also sister Pat Buechel (Paul); sisters-in-law Ellen Coke (Ron) and Laura Root; brother-in-law Thomas Hase (Ellen); and other family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwin and Rose Meyer, and sisters Betty Duzinske (Lyle) and Rosemarie Thome (Gordon).

A celebration of life will be held in the spring. Memorials in George's honor may be made to the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. Condolences are welcome on his CaringBridge site. That is also where you can find the full length obituary that George designed. www.CaringBridge.org George Meyer.