Matt Vander Haegen is a Senior Research Biologist with WDFW's Research Division and an adjunct member of the Biology Faculty at Washington State University. An avian ecologist by training, and a student of birds by avocation, he has been researching issues related to species/habitat relationships for over 14 years. His research interests focus on how human-caused changes in habitats and landscapes affect native wildlife, particularly birds. Before joining WDFW, he was a Research Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Forest Service in Orono, Maine. Matt has a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Wildlife Biology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. An avid bird hunter, fly fisher, and clay target shooter, Matt lives in Olympia, Washington with his wife, Geraldine, and several dubious bird dogs.

Contact wildthing@dfw.wa.gov for more information about research.