Jimmy (Jim) Christenson retired from the DNR in October, 2004. Although, he occasionally helps out the Bureau of Legal Services and Division of Forestry on legal matters relating to forestry and endangered species, he has been enjoying his retirement with his wife, Toni, as she retired from 38 years of teaching in 2006.

Jim was born and raised in Mondovi, Wisconsin. He received his BA in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where he graduated in 1968.

He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin – Madison Law School in 1973. Between those times in school he served in the U.S. Army in the Military Police in Alaska.

Upon graduation from Law School, Jim served as a Dane County Assistant District Attorney, in Madison, until he started with the DNR in January, 1974.

Initially, in DNR, Jim provided legal counsel in all conservation matters, including fish, game, endangered species, forestry and land management. In his last 17 years in DNR he was assigned primarily as legal counsel for forestry, endangered resources, liability matters, WEPA, and land management issues. He became a Section Chief in the Bureau of Legal Services in 1976 and was acting Bureau of Legal Services Director for the last 1˝ years prior to his retirement.

Jim and Toni’s 3 daughters live on the East Coast, which provides an incentive for their travels to Boston, Brooklyn and New Jersey.

Traveling continues to be an important part of their retirement, where they have seen much more of the United States, as well as the Ukraine and Vienna. One highlight of their trip to the Grand Canyon and Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Balloon Fiesta, was Toni’s trip in the Smokey Bear Balloon at the Fiesta.

Jim also tries to sneak up to their land in Buffalo County (Mondovi) for hunting.

Jim and Toni continue to reside in Madison, when not on the road.

When in the Ukraine, for the wedding of a nephew, Toni and Jim stayed in Odessa, Ukraine, where this picture was taken.

Jim and Toni in Ukraine

When visiting the Grand Canyon, with Jim and Becki Kurtz, they stayed in the South Canyon Village where they were treated to great views like shown here.

Jim and Toni at Grand Canyon

Through the help of Jim Miller, Toni was invited to help crew the Smokey Bear Balloon at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Ultimately, she was the only member of the crew invited to fly in the Balloon with the pilot (Retired Chief Forester for New Mexico). They landed in a field, without knowledge of the owner, which is normal. The owner’s niece, who greeted them, was delighted, saying that her brother’s favorite toy as a youngster was a stuffed Smokey Bear.

Toni in Smokey Bear Balloon