About Michigan Audubon

Michigan's Oldest Conservation Organization

Michigan Audubon, Michigan's oldest conservation organization, was established in 1904. It has worked through the years to study and preserve wild birds, plants, animals and their habitats and to enlighten the public of their importance.

Policies and Priorities

Through its by-laws Michigan Audubon is committed to:

Achieving through education, public recognition of the value of wildlife, plants, soil, water, air and other natural resources; an understanding of their interdependence and the need for protecting and preserving them.
Studying and conducting research in order to formulate and recommend sound policies in the field of conservation.
Fostering the preservation of native animals and plants, so that no species will become threatened with extinction.
Fostering the creation of nature centers to establish and maintain educational programs which will bring about a better understanding of the natural world by children and adults alike.
Establishing and maintaining nature sanctuaries for the protection of wildlife and the enjoyment of the public.

Activities

Michigan Audubon activities include:

The Michigan Audubon Annual Conference, held the first weekend in March at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, is a full day of presentations highlighted by a keynote address and membership meeting.
The annual Tawas Point Birding Festival was started in May, 2007. It is held the third weekend in May. Participants can enjoy seminars, field trips, and good birding.
The Sandhill Crane and Art Festival (CraneFest), established in 1995 to celebrate conservation, our natural history, and the migration of the Sandhill Crane, is held the second weekend in October in and around Baker Sanctuary.
Christmas Bird Counts are held annually December 14–January 5 at locations throughout the state.
Field Trips are usually one day trips to see birds or other natural attractions. Friendships are made or renewed and good times are had by all.
Campouts are weekend birding events spent at various Michigan campgrounds. Participants enjoy sharing common interests during field trips, nature programs and other types of outdoor activities.
Tours are longer trips, typically three to ten days, with an emphasis on birding. Destinations are noted natural history areas such as: Isle Royale National Park; Grand Canyon National Park; Big Bend National Park; Cape May; and the Galapagos Islands.

Chapters

With local chapters across the state, you can join a local group and enjoy natural history programs, field trips, nature walks, and other activities.

Sanctuaries

Michigan Audubon owns and maintains 16 sanctuaries in both the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. The sanctuaries, totaling nearly 6,000 acres, protect a variety of habitat including wetlands, woodlands and grasslands. All are open to the public for trail hiking, birding, wild flower viewing and nature study.

Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary offers many nature activities and programs in addition to a large preserve for outdoor activities at its scenic location.

Baker Sanctuary and Haehnle Sanctuary, Michigan Audubon's two largest sanctuaries, are popular for viewing the Sandhill Cranes that use them for breeding and as fall gathering places. In late October and early November thousands of migrating cranes can be seen in their fall flocks.

Research

Michigan Audubon is the sponsor of three surveys and many research projects. The Christmas Bird Count, the Winter Bird Feeder Count and the Seasonal Bird Surveys provide the opportunity of contributing to important research by anyone interested in participating. MAS is a participant in The Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas II, the Important Bird Areas (IBA) project, and is a member of Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. It has been a participant in the Peregrine Falcon release program, the Kirtland's Warbler habitat maintenance program, cormorant and gull research and other important projects within Michigan.

Education

Michigan Audubon is concerned about our future and the future of the planet. Knowing that an informed public and especially children are key to fuflfilling our promise of "connecting birds with people for the benefit of both", Michigan Audubon maintains educational materials and provides presenters to schools.

The Michigan Audubon Bookshop, located in its Lansing office, is open daily during business hours. It also sets up temporary shop at events and festivals throughout the state in an effort to reach more people and make natural history materials available to the public.

Michigan Audubon sponsors special projects in support of specific areas of concern like the Purple Martin Project. The project is intended to raise awareness of the plight of the Purple Martin in Michigan and provide information about solutions and actions that can be taken.

Environmental Action

Michigan Audubon is working to keep birds and other wildlife safe, protect their habitat and keep our air and water clean. The Environmental Action Committee conducts the Environmental Fast Action Project and an active alert line of volunteers who write letters and make phone calls to public officials. They led the way in preventing the proposed reclassification of the Mourning Dove as a game species.

Michigan Birds and Natural History Publications

Michigan Audubon publishes brochures, pamphlets, books and two periodicals. The Society's newsletter, the Jack Pine Warbler, keeps members current on Society activities and provides nature and chapter news.

Michigan Birds and Natural History contains scientific articles on bird research and other natural history. It also publishes the results of the three bird surveys.

All Michigan Audubon's publications are available to the public through its Bookshop.

Bookshop

The Michigan Audubon Bookshop offers over 800 natural history titles including books about: birds and birding; botany; environmental education; Michigan and the Great Lakes region; field guides; children's books; and audio/visual guides.

The Michigan Audubon Bookshop, located in its Lansing office, is open daily during business hours. Everyone is welcome to come in and browse. A Bookshop catalog is available upon request.