Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Private Lands Biologist Michelle Vander Haar doing good things for wildlife. - USFWS photo by Edward P. De Vries

The Saginaw Bay Resource Conservation and Development Area presented the 2008 Distinguished Service Award to Michelle Vander Haar in recognition of distinguished and dedicated service to improving the quality of life in the Saginaw Bay Watershed.

As the Private Lands Biologist at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, Michelle has made many significant contributions to the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wildlife habitat and water quality in the watershed.  Michelle has coordinated the restoration of hundreds of acres of wetland and grassland and miles of riparian habitat through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.  Further, she has formed a multitude of partnerships and leveraged resources to secure North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grants and Service Challenge Cost Share Grants.  In addition to improving wetlands, grasslands, and riparian habitats, these grants have gone toward removing fish barriers and eradicating invasive species.

A project of particular pride to Michelle has been working with schools to connect children with nature.  Michelle has worked with several schools to restore small wetlands on their property.  These wetlands serve as laboratories and study sites to support delivery of the school’s curriculum as well as places for individual nature study and exploration.  This project also provides trunks of study materials, including ID guides, binoculars, magnifying boxes, dip nets, curriculum guides, and more to make the sites true outdoor learning centers.

Michelle has served on several coalitions.  She contributed substantially in the formation and rapid development of the Cass River Greenway program and has been awarded for her contributions to the Rifle River Watershed Restoration Committee.  She has served for several years on the Wildlife Task Group of the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network.  Michelle also provides technical assistance to the USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service toward implementing the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Program.