FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2009
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chicago Field Supervisor John Rogner Appointed as Assistant Director of Illinois Department of Natural Resources
John Rogner (left) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn at a recent event in Chicago. Rogner had been the Field Supervisor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Chicago Ecological Services Field Office until Governor Quinn recently announced his appointment as assistant director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
John Rogner, long-time field supervisor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chicago Ecological Services Field Office has accepted an appointment as the assistant director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced his appointment of Rogner earlier today.
As supervisor of the Chicago Ecological Services Field Office, Rogner was responsible for coordinating conservation activities throughout northeastern Illinois. Endangered species, wetland protection and restoration, mitigation of environmental contaminants and public education were a few of the issues Rogner worked on as field supervisor.
“Working cooperatively with federal, state, and local government agencies, along with businesses, non-profit groups and individual citizens has always been a high priority for John,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius. “He will be a great asset to the State of Illinois. So, while we are sad to be losing him as an employee, we are very glad to be gaining him as a partner.”
The Illinois DNR approached the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and requested Rogner based upon their dealings with him over the past decade. Governor Pat Quinn and newly-appointed Illinois DNR Director Marc Miller recognized Rogner’s strong professional credentials in natural resources and fish and wildlife biology, organizational management experience and credibility within the Illinois conservation community.
As Illinois DNR assistant director, Rogner will serve as a liaison to federal partners and work to rebuild its fish and wildlife programs, as well as help manage new initiatives on youth retention and recruitment. Rogner is joining the Illinois DNR as part of an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intended to strengthen fish and wildlife programs and projects managed cooperatively by both agencies.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is functionally tied with state fish and wildlife agencies through similarity of missions and numerous federal assistance programs. The Service accomplishes its mission in some important ways through the work of the states, examples of this include implementation of state wildlife action plans, endangered species recovery and migratory bird conservation. Therefore, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also benefit from this appointment by helping to create opportunities to more closely align state and federal programs and projects and re-establish close working relationships with the State, thereby creating a stronger partner in conservation in support of the agencies’ shared missions.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov">.
