Michigan Audubon is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The board serves to support and advance the Michigan Audubon mission. As a group they provide organizational leadership by developing and reviewing board policies, hiring the executive director, and monitoring the organization's finances.
Michigan Audubon employs three full time staff members in the Lansing, Michigan headquarters. Seasonal employees conduct tours in the Kirtland's Warbler breeding areas from mid-May through June in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The organization also engages the services of three volunteer resident managers at the Otis, Baker, and Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuaries. The remaining 16 sanctuaries have volunteer stewards or stewardship groups that help maintain and manage the properties.
In addition to sanctuary stewards, several volunteers help maintain operational functions in the Michigan Audubon office on a weekly basis. Every year scores of volunteers help with birding events across the state such as the Annual Conference, Cranefest, Tawas Point Birding Festival, Migration Celebration, campouts and fieldtrips.
Hundreds of volunteers throughout the state serve as citizen scientists gathering data for seasonal surveys, migration counts, and the annual Christmas Bird Count. Data compiled from these monitoring activities are reported in Michigan Audubon's science journal, Michigan Birds and Natural History.
There are about 2000 members of Michigan Audubon. Additionally, there are 41 local chapters affiliated with the state organization across the state each having between 20-300 members. Each chapter offers educational programs, coordinates field trips, and participates in local conservation efforts. There are about 7500 National Audubon members in Michigan. Not all chapter members or National Audubon members are members of Michigan Audubon, but the state offers opportunities for all to participate in Michigan Audubon activities and encourages them to contribute direct support by becoming members at the state level.
Michigan Audubon nurtures affiliate relationships with Whitefish Point Bird Observatory,The Michigan Loon Preservation Association, Seven Ponds Nature Center, and Sarett Nature Center. Additionally, strong partnerships have been forged with National Audubon, the Detroit Audubon Society, and the Kalamazoo Nature Center in conservation and research efforts such as the Important Bird Areas program, Safe Passage Great Lakes, and the Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas.
