Michigan Natural Features Inventory scientist earns 2026 Legacy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Wildlife Conservation
Print
EmailYu Man Lee, a conservation scientist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory and MSU Extension, was recognized by the Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society for her dedicated service and advancement of wildlife conservation throughout her career.
The Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society honored Yu Man Lee with the 2026 Legacy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Wildlife Conservation in Michigan at the organization’s annual spring assembly. This award recognizes an individual’s substantial contributions to the understanding, management, and public value of wildlife conservation in Michigan and highlights a career’s worth of contributions from Lee to the field.
With nearly three decades of service as a conservation scientist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), a program through Michigan State University Extension, Lee has cemented her role as the preeminent voice for the often-overlooked natural communities of reptiles and amphibians. Lee has not only advanced scientific understandings of the various species present in Michigan but has also fundamentally shaped the regulatory and management frameworks in place that protect them across the state.
“Yu Man has worked tirelessly over her career to conserve Michigan’s rare reptiles and amphibians and the vital habitats they need to survive,” said Michael Monfils, director of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. “Her work ensures our state’s most sensitive species and ecosystems receive the consideration they deserve by decision makers, and Yu Man personifies the dedication, service and values highlighted by the Legacy Award.”
With a knack for translating complex data into actionable insights, Lee’s work has spanned the study and monitoring of numerous amphibian and reptilian species, including eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, rare turtles and copperbelly watersnakes, along with evaluation of climate impacts on more than 400 species that inform state wildlife action plans.
She has also been instrumental in the development and continued leadership of the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership, along with several other statewide and greater Midwest working groups to address large-scale conservation issues.
“I am deeply grateful for this recognition and to all the wonderful and amazing colleagues, field technicians and partners at MNFI, MSU Extension, and other agencies and organizations whom I have had the distinct pleasure to work with over the years,” said Lee. “I share this award with all of them because the work that I’ve been able to conduct and the progress that we’ve made towards conserving rare species and their habitats were possible because of their assistance, support and partnership.”
About the Michigan Natural Features Inventory
The Michigan Natural Features Inventory has been at the forefront of providing the highest quality scientific information of Michigan's rare species and habitats for more than 40 years; and as a program of Michigan State University Extension since 2000.
As stewards of the Michigan Natural Heritage Database, their team of experts conduct research and field surveys of Michigan’s rare plants and animals, along with rare and/or high-quality natural communities. They also provide research findings and consultation to a wide variety of decision makers, practitioners, and the public to ensure up-to-date scientific information is available to guide conservation of Michigan’s biodiversity.
Learn more about the work of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory by visiting their website at mnfi.anr.msu.edu.
Michigan State University Extension supports all 83 counties across Michigan by translating research into real-life solutions and helping communities tackle challenges big and small. To learn more about the work of MSU Extension, please visit extension.msu.edu.
