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January 17th, 2025
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Dan Kildee, a former U.S. Congressman, as the chair of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC). The NRC is responsible for overseeing the regulation of hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation in Michigan. Kildee will serve on the commission through December 31, 2028, and his tenure as chair will continue at the governor’s discretion. He replaces Tom Baird, whose term has expired.
Kildee’s appointment reflects Whitmer’s focus on ensuring experienced leadership in the management of Michigan’s public lands and natural resources. During his tenure in Congress from 2013 to 2025, Kildee served on the Ways and Means Committee and co-chaired the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force to more urgently clean up toxic PFAS chemicals.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Kildee co-founded and served as President of the Center for Community Progress, a national nonprofit organization, where he was one of the nation’s leading voices on urban land reform and revitalization. He also founded Michigan’s first land bank – the Genesee County Land Bank—which is responsible for over $100 million in redevelopment in the city of Flint.
The NRC plays a crucial role in managing Michigan’s natural resources by setting regulations on hunting and fishing, designating game species, and overseeing conservation policies. Kildee’s appointment is expected to align with the administration’s broader goals of environmental sustainability and public land stewardship.