NDOW names new Habitat Division Administrator

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has announced Mark Freese as the Department’s new Habitat Division Administrator. In this position.


Freese will oversee over 40 members of the Habitat Division.


“I am humbled and honored to be selected as the new chief,” said Freese. “I am excited to have the opportunity to lead this Division. We have a great team of dedicated and talented men and women who are collectively working together to conserve Nevada’s Wildlife habitats and resources through a variety of programs.”


Freese, a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in Rangeland Management, began his career as the Supervising Habitat Biologist for NDOW’s Western Region in 2010. 


In this position he helped implement restoration programs on public and private land, conducted technical reviews and supported the water development crew and mine biologists. 


In 2021 he was promoted to Wildlife Staff Specialist at the NDOW headquarters office, where he oversaw the habitat restoration and rehabilitation program.  


“Having worked with Mark for the last eleven years I am confident in his ability to lead NDOW’s Habitat Division into the future,” said Director Alan Jenne. “I have always been impressed by his ability to develop relationships and coordinate meaningful habitat projects across Nevada’s complex landscapes.  He is the ideal person for the job.”


Freese replaces Jenne who was promoted to Director at the beginning of the year after serving for over a decade as the head of the Habitat Division. 


“It is an exciting time to work for the Habitat Division and NDOW,” said Freese. “Habitat conservation is receiving a significant amount of attention and is being funded at levels beyond anything I have seen in my career.  I look forward to working with the habitat team and our partners to address challenges facing Nevada’s habitats.”