The Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame has honored a Grand Traverse County woman who became the first female conservation officer in the United States.
The Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization that recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the environment.
The organization honored Huldah Neal with the Legacy award on Tuesday for her commitment to protecting natural resources.
“This is an important milestone in history to recognize, not only for our state, but for our country,” said Chief Gary Hagler of the Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Huldah Neal established a career path for many successful women who uphold her legacy today by protecting natural resources.”
Neal was born in Ohio in 1855, and moved to Grand Traverse County with her family in 1861. She married Warren Neal in 1872 and raised two children on a farm near Long Lake.
She loved the outdoors and had little tolerance for fish and game poaching that occurred in Grand Traverse County. Her knowledge of the outdoors and her shooting and fishing skills made her a good fit for the role and helped paved the way for her to become the first female conservation officer in the United States through future Michigan Governor Chase Osborn in 1897.
“Neal paved the way for new generations of women who proudly serve as guardians of our natural resources,” said Ron Brown, Chair of the Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame.
Neal passed away in 1931, and Michigan’s next female conservation officer, Kathryn Bezotte, wouldn’t be hired until 1977.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division nominated Neal for induction into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018.
Currently, there are 26 female conservation officers who serve at all ranks within the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.
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