The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies have named Department of Natural Resources and Environment wildlife biologist John Niewoonder Wildlife Biologist of the Year.

John Niewoonder, Wildlife Biologist of the Year.

A habitat biologist who works out of the Flat River State Game Area in Ionia, Niewoonder recently spent 18 months leading a work group and conducting public meetings that led to Michigan’s first comprehensive statewide deer management plan, which he wrote. Niewoonder accomplished the task while performing his daily duties as a habitat biologist in three counties.

“John is well deserving of this award as he has clearly gone above and beyond the call of duty to complete this assignment,” said DNRE Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “To create a new management plan for our premier game species while fulfilling the responsibilities of a full-time position illustrates his outstanding work ethic.”

“John is the kind of biologist that everyone in our profession aspires to be,” Mason added.

Niewoonder, who joined the DNRE as a habitat biologist at Pte. Mouillee in 1998, said he was “very surprised” by the award.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” he said.

Niewoonder lives in Greenville with his wife and three children.