Jen Howell

Education

B.S. in Biology, Calvin College
M.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife, Michigan State University

Certifications

Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator (Categories 3B, 5, 6 & 10), National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildland Firefighter (S-130, S-133, S-190, S-290, I-100, & L-180), Certified Wildlife Habitat Naturalist (Windstar Wildlife Institute), and various Environmental Education & Facilitator Certifications: Project WILD, Aquatic WILD, Project WET, Project Learning Tree, Leopold Education Project, WISE, Project FISH & Leave No Trace (Center for Outdoor Ethics)

Professional experience

Jen oversees the hands-on management of the natural areas and infrastructure for both the 104 acre Ecosystem Preserve on campus as well as the 68 acre Flat Iron Lake Nature Preserve located in Greenville, MI.  She assists the Preserve Director in developing and implementing land management plans for the preserve properties, conducts prescribed burns, supervises students and volunteers involved in land management activities, monitors and actively manages preserves for invasive plants, pests, and diseases, works with the Program Manager to propagate native plants for preserve restoration projects, and offers educational programs on various land management topics.

Much of Jen’s previous work experience comes from serving as the Stewardship Manager for Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (Hastings, MI) for 14 years.  Jen was also previously employed as a Research Assistant for Michigan State University’s Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, and has worked on several seasonal landscaping crews and interned at the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and the Montshire Museum of Science (Norwich, VT).

Professional associations

Wild Ones, Michigan Audubon, The Stewardship Network & Wildflower Association of Michigan