Huron Pines

Donate today to support Kirtland’s Warbler conservation. 

The Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance (Alliance) formed in 2013 is an 11-member volunteer board representing regions from across Michigan. Operating under a strong organizational structure with bylaws, full slate of officers, annual budget and strategic work plan, the Alliance is dedicated to raising awareness of support for the Kirtland’s Warbler and the conservation programs necessary for the health of the species and jack pine forests where it nests. The Alliance meets this mission a developing and administering a variety outreach programs, developing strategic partnership and dedicated fundraising efforts.

The Alliance is part of a multi-partner effort known as the Kirtland’s Warbler Initiative which brings together state, federal and local conservation stakeholders to identify and move forward strategies to secure long-term sustainability for the Kirtland’s Warbler regardless of listing status. The goal of this partnership is to eventually see the Kirtland’s Warbler graduate from protections provided by the federal Endangered Species Act–the goal of any listed species–and thrive as a result of strong public-private funding and land management partnerships.

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation

Newest Champions of the Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Effort!

Huron Pines and the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance are excited to announce new funding support from The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation for the long-term success of the Kirtland’s Warbler!

The Foundation has committed $30,000 a year for the next three years to support two main efforts—to design K–12 educations programs and to develop two partner groups working in alignment to increase public awareness, raise funds and coordinate habitat conservation programs.

“We are so pleased to have the support of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation,” says Abigail Ertel, Huron Pines Community Program Lead and Coordinator for both the Alliance and Conservation Team. “This funding means the Alliance and Conservation Team can build capacity to address the key questions and challenges that are facing a species with great potential to be delisted from the Endangered Species List while also creating meaningful experiences for educators and children to see that wildlife biology, forestry and conservation planning are important to the success of the communities where they live, work and play.”

For more information on the funding received from The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation read the full press release here.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Kirtland’s Warbler Is a Leader for Endangered Species Conservation

The Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance and Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Team are pleased to share with you two great articles recently appearing in Living Bird Magazine, a publication from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Both John W. Fitzpatrick in his editorial View From Sapsucker Woods: Endowing A Future For The Kirtland’s Warbler and Greg Breining in his feature piece Jack Pine Juggernauts: What Will Happen to Kirtland’s Warbler After Delisting? tell an amazing story of how the combination of strong conservation partnership and bold innovation is leading the charge toward a new future in endangered species management. Please set aside a few minutes to read the pieces yourself and prepare to be inspired! We certainly are!

2017 Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance Board of Directors

Jerry Rucker – Chair
James Bull – Vice-Chair
Stuart White – Treasurer
William Rapai – Secretary
Tom Cook
Chip Erwin
Dave Ewert
Heather Good
Sarah Reding
Tom Schneider
Jerry Weinrich

Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance Signature Events

The Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance helps to plan and lead two keystone events each year, including the Jack Pine Planting Day and Kirtland’s Warbler Home Opener.
Visit our Participate tab in the springtime to learn more about these events which are usually held in May and early June. This year the Jack Pine Planting Day will be held as part of the AmeriCorps Russ Mawby Signature Service Project in downtown Grayling.

Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance Partners

Huron Pines

Michigan Audubon Society

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation

U.S. Forest Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Kirtland’s Conservation Team Presentations & Handouts

The Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance is an active partner in the Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Team with representation on both the Steering Committee of the Conservation Team and the Human Dimensions Subcommittee. On March 15^th the Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Team and Michigan Bird Conservation Initiative teamed up to host an Open Workshop and share key developments for Kirtland’s Warbler and other bird conservation efforts. Below are links to the day’s agenda, presentations and handouts.

• Agenda
• Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan and Bird Conservation – Amy Derosier, MDNR
• Updates from the Midwest Coordinated Bird Monitoring Program – Katie Koch, USFWS
  • Avian Data Center Handout
• Current Conservation Efforts for Piping Plover and Kirtland’s Warbler
  • Great Lakes Piping Plover: Status of Recovery Efforts, 2017 – Vince Cavalieri, USFWS
  • Kirtland’s Warbler from “Endangered” to “Threatened” Status – Scott Hicks, USFWS
• Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Program Updates
  • 2016 Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Program Accomplishments – Chris Mensing, USFWS
    • 2016 KW Habitat Graph
    • 2016 KW Habitat Table
  • A Different Approach to Monitoring Kirtland’s Warbler – MDNR
• Exploring new approaches to management of jack pine in Kirtland’s Warbler Country – Dr. David Rothstein, MSU
• Developments of the Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Team and What’s Next! – Abigail Ertel
• Updates and key developments of the Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Team Priority Subcommittees
  • Breeding Range – Keith Kintigh, MDNR
    • Financial Sustainability of Jack Pine Handout 
    • Strategy to Improve the KW Breeding Distribution Handout
  • Human Dimensions and Capacity Building – Abigail Ertel
  • Nonbreeding Range – Dave Ewert, The Nature Conservancy

Interested in learning more?

The Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance is dedicated to expanding awareness for the Kirtland’s Warbler and important conservation programs that help the species as well as the jack pine forest system where it lives. These programs benefit a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities and the communities of Northeast Michigan where the Kirtland’s Warbler nests. If you’re interested in connecting with the Kirtland’s Warbler consider:

• Donating to help ensure conservation programs vital to the health of the Kirtland’s Warbler and the jack pine forest where it nests continue
• Having a Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance Director speak to your group
• Sign up for the Kirtland’s Warbler Network – an electronic newsletter that brings you information on the Kirtland’s Warbler and similar conservation stories
• Attending one of the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance’s Signature Events