Michigan Audubon Society
What We Do
Michigan Audubon's mission is to bring birds and people together for the benefit of both through environmental research, conservation, and education in the state.
RESEARCH
Michigan Audubon's local chapters and affiliates sponsor a variety of state wide research, data collection projects, and citizen science programs that are used to assess the distribution and abundance of birds, including nesting occurrences, and the status of rare, threatened, endangered, and special concern bird species and habitat. Projects include the
Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas, the Michigan Winter Bird Feeder Survey, the Michigan Christmas Bird Count, the North American Migration Count, and the Michigan Bird Records Committee. Results from the research projects and other natural history articles are published quarterly in Michigan Birds and Natural History, a scientific journal. Members and the general public participate and provide nonscientific observation data for many of the projects mentioned above.
CONSERVATION
Michigan Audubon protects more then 3,500 acres of important wildlife habitat in 19 sanctuaries in the upper and lower peninsulas. Three of our affiliates, Sarett Nature Center, Seven Ponds Nature Center, and Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, maintain another 1,116 acres. Rivers, lakes, marshes, bogs, fens, grasslands, hardwoods, and northern conifer communities are found in these protected areas. These lands not only serve as a refuge for many species of wildlife, but they also preserve a wide range of our state's valuable natural resources and are used for recreation, education, and research. Another affiliate, the Michigan Loon Preservation Association, utilizes a network of volunteers (Loon Rangers) across the state in monitoring and conservation activities dedicated to protecting Common Loons. Michigan Audubon is also a partner in the Important Bird Areas program which identifies significant tracts of bird habitat which may need protection for the sustainability of threatened and endangered bird populations.
EDUCATION
Michigan Audubon believes early encounters with nature inspire children to become responsible consumers and future conservation leaders. Working with local chapters, Michigan Audubon provides helpful tools for teachers to offer programs and field learning opportunities throughout the year.
Michigan Audubon and its chapters offer a wide range of speakers, workshops, and tours for birders and nature enthusiasts at all levels. In addition, our annual conference presents nationally known experts on a variety of topics of environmental importance.
To encourage families to take an active part in passing on a tradition of environmental awareness, Michigan Audubon sponsors events and activities geared toward whole family involvement such as campouts,workshops,and festivals.
From answering birding questions to recommending speakers and books, Michigan Audubon's staff and board provide members and the public with birding information on a daily basis. The bookstore located in Lansing carries a large selection of regional nature books and field guides. The society also publishes a bi-monthly member newsletter, The Jack Pine Warbler.
