Greetings, Michigan Audubon Members!

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for such a warm welcome to the Michigan Audubon (MA) family. I started with the organization at the end of May and have jumped right into the work at hand. 

This first month has been full of meeting with the Board and the team, and gaining a greater understanding of the work of this dedicated organization. Some of my first experiences have been centered around the MA pillar of education. 

During my first week, I was honored to be a part of Bird Olympics at Kinawa Middle School here in Okemos. This was the final event of Bird by Bird, a yearlong program with a class of fifth-graders led by MA Education Coordinator Lindsay Cain. Bird Olympics took the kids through a journey of learning about birds and nature, including five stations of bird-referenced activities that drew the kids’ attention. From discovering how close their skill levels came to the abilities of the Great Blue Heron, who sleeps on one leg with its eyes closed, to seeing how many times they can flap their “wings” in 10 seconds. I can report that no one came close to the hummingbird’s ability of 700 flaps in just 10 seconds! 

The Olympics included discussion with Q&A. The kids answered questions about many different types of birds, their capabilities, and their habitats. They were asking questions with great curiosity and interest. It was clear to me that a profound outcome of this yearlong program was that these kids not only have a great understanding of birds, they now value the role of nature in their lives and have an understanding that people have a responsibility to care for it. Future birders and conservationists have been born!

Continuing with the focus of education, as I write this, the Michigan Young Birders Camp is taking place at Alma College. Campers are traveling across the state, meeting with experts in ornithology, conservation, and bird photography. They are working in the field catching and banding birds and learning new birding skills.Investing in our youth provides a future of residents who care for, value, enjoy, and defend birds and conservation. I’m glad to share that MA actions with this key organizational pillar are alive and well. 

Beyond these projects, I’ve been working on several business functions of the organization. From financials to membership, there is much to learn and move forward. This will be my focus for the remainder of the year, and I look forward to working with the Board on strategic developments.

This issue of the Jack Pine Warbler brings forward the results of the Michigan Audubon Photography Awards. WOW! The submissions we received are excellent! To all those who submitted your photography, thank you! This art evokes emotions and warms the heart to see nature at its best. 

Thanks again for the warm welcome. I’m looking forward to meeting and hearing from more MA members throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Mennillo, MBA
Interim CEO

Featured photo: American Redstart by Chris Hendra | MAPA

Kathleen Mennillo, MBA, is known for her ambition, business acumen, and integrity and has served at the executive level for over a decade. She comes from her dual role as Executive Director for both the International Hearing Society and the National Board of Certification for Hearing Instrument Sciences. Leveraging the power of relationships and networks, broad business skills, financial acuity, and strategic management, Kathleen propelled the organizations to unprecedented growth and financial stability. During her tenure, she secured the passage of two legislative bills in less than four years, skyrocketed revenue by 375% to more than $4 million, reinvigorated their signature education program, and led through a complete organizational transformation, from staffing to location to streamlining processes. She is honored to join such a prestigious organization dedicated to conservation, education, and research and looks forward to assisting the organization in reaching new heights.

Kathleen relishes adventures with her sweet basset hound Olga, traveling the world with her husband, tending the flowers in her garden, advocating for bees, and designing jewelry.

This article appeared in the 2022 Summer Jack Pine Warbler.