Michigan Audubon

Environmental Stewardship: Animals, Conservation – land use Education
2310 Science Pkwy #200, Okemos, MI 48864
Phone (517) 580 - 7364
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Our missionMichigan Audubon connects birds and people for the benefit of both through conservation, education, and research efforts in the state of Michigan.
1 Central Region, Lansing
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Ways to help

Michigan Bird Records Committee (MBRC)

The Michigan Bird Records Committee (MBRC) is an all-volunteer entity that endeavors to improve the quality of knowledge on the distribution and abundance of the birds of Michigan. Documenting a rare bird is a valuable exercise. Scrutinizing and recording unbiased details is simultaneously the most important and time consuming step in documenting a rare bird. Written documentation provides the exact details as the observer perceived them, which is key when being evaluated by another party. While technology has recently allowed for easy retrieval of photographs of rare birds, it has caused many birders to become overly reliant on photos alone.The seven-member committee maintains a regular schedule of meetings, adheres to bylaws, and assists birders of all skill levels in documenting and scrutinizing bird records from across Michigan.
  • Occasional, Monthly
  • 55+, Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor, Outdoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays, Weekends

Bird Surveys on Michigan Audubon Sanctuaries

If you’re an experienced birder who is adept at identifying most Michigan birds by sight and call, consider becoming a volunteer bird surveyor. These surveys are critical to understanding which species use our sanctuaries for migrating, breeding, or over-wintering. Birds are monitored at our sanctuaries via 10-minute point count surveys conducted at specific locations and at regular intervals. Surveyors can sign up for year-round (5 times a year) or breeding season (3 times during summer) surveys. Survey routes vary in length and terrain difficulty, but most routes are roughly 1 mile, each way. No experience is necessary as long as you’re willing to learn.Minimum 2 year commitment preferred.
  • Occasional
  • 55+, Adults
  • Individuals, Groups (2-10)
  • Outdoor
  • None, Formal
  • Weekdays, Weekends

Seasonal Surveys

The mission of the Michigan Seasonal Bird Survey is to gather seasonal bird data throughout the state. The success of this mission depends upon volunteer birders of all skill levels taking the time to compile and send in their observations in a report for each of the four seasons (due to the compiler by Mar 15, Jun 15, Aug 15, and Dec 15, respectively). Filling out the form is easy: just fill in the blanks with the observations you’ve made. Due to the input of volunteers like you who send in their sightings, and the hard work of the seasonal compilers who put it all together, Michigan’s Seasonal Bird Survey is setting a high standard for the quality of bird reporting in the Great Lakes region.
  • Occasional
  • 55+, Adults, Child with Adult
  • Individuals, Groups (2-10)
  • Outdoor
  • None
  • Weekdays, Weekends
How you helpAt Michigan Audubon, we believe every person can have a positive impact in protecting Michigan birds and bird habitat. One enjoyable way to have an impact on the environment is by volunteering at one of our bird sanctuaries, during an event, or at our headquarters in Lansing.
About usFormed and incorporated in 1904, Michigan Audubon is the state’s oldest conservation organization. The early history of the organization was dedicated to securing protective legislation for birds at a time when the millinery industry was harming songbird populations. Through the devotion of its early conservation-minded founders, Michigan Audubon was recognized nationally for advocacy and education efforts. Today, Michigan Audubon’s commitment to birds continues in the form of organized bird-related data collection by a community of “citizen scientists.” Likewise, the organization educates thousands of bird watchers each year through a series of educational programs, events, and an annual conference. Michigan Audubon’s bird sanctuary network is growing and includes thousands of acres of protected bird habitat from Jackson County to the Keweenaw Peninsula.
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