Rachel Sperber volunteered her talents for birds and Michigan Audubon, creating graphics, logos, and more to enhance bird conservation efforts.
It is with great sadness that we inform the Michigan Audubon community of volunteer Rachel Sperber’s passing in January 2022.
In August 2016, Rachel, a Michigan native and graphic designer, submitted her artwork to Michigan Audubon’s t-shirt design contest. Rachel won the contest with her bold “Conserve MI Birds” design. Initially, the design featured the Lower Peninsula, swallows, a Piping Plover, and the Kirtland’s Warbler, a species that recently made an impressive recovery from near-extinction and is now featured on Michigan’s Wildlife Habitat License Plate.
“I chose a Kirtland’s Warbler to be the main focus since they are a conservation species of significance in Michigan,” said Rachel. “I encompassed everything in a shield to communicate protection and accomplish the badge look I was after. The trees are meant to drive home a feeling of nature and being outdoors.”
Rachel Sperber’s award-winning “Conserve MI Birds” final design.
Rachel found inspiration from the National Parks stamps by Valerie Jar. “I knew that I wanted the design to feel like it could easily be a patch or a badge that you might see on a ranger shirt,” she said. “I felt like that kind of visual language would lend itself to a conservation message, even if the shirt was only glanced at briefly.”
Rachel’s final design incorporates Michigan’s beloved Upper Peninsula and singles out the Kirtland’s Warbler, making for a clean look that has been reprinted thousands of times in the spirit and support of Michigan Audubon’s mission of connecting birds and people for the benefit of both.
Rachel also assisted Michigan Audubon with our Keep Cats Indoors campaign, designing its logo and a Keep Birds (and Cats) Safe window cling.
Rachel cared deeply for birds as was described in her obituary, “Of all the pleasures that piqued her interest the most, birdwatching never ceased to capture her delights. A ‘birder’ with the best of them, the bevy of winged creatures that filled the air kept her captivated and intrigued with sight-seeing adventure. Sure to be remembered for her sharp wit and sense of humor, Rachel had a way of bringing a smile to your face, turning frowns upside down, and infusing joy and levity to a serious world. She was quite funny and always encouraging…and possessed a care and compassion that touched the lives of many.”
We hope that the message of conserving our birds continues to be seen and celebrated, along with Rachel’s life, her story, and her impact on the world around her, with gratitude and appreciation, in the Michigan Audubon community and beyond.
~ by Executive Director Heather Good