Mike Schoonveld was awarded the prestigious "Russell Sinclair News Media Award" at the 2007 convention of the Izaak Walton League held in Evansville. This annual award is given to a reporter or editorialist engaged in print or electronic media for excellence in environmental journalism.

Schoonveld has been writing a weekly outdoor column for The Times since 1992. He is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, and has served as President as well as holding other offices for both the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers and Hoosier Outdoor Writers. He makes his home in rural Newton County near Morocco.