Birds across the Great Lakes region now have healthier habitat and a safer future thanks to Audubon staff, chapters and partners who worked tirelessly to protect and restore vital habitats and natural spaces this year. Audubon members and advocates across the region also helped pass strong policies in 2024 that will benefit both birds and communities. Explore some of this year’s biggest wins for Great Lakes birds and their habitats, and join us in the new year as we continue our work to ensure a healthy future for birds and people across our region.  

Advancing Policy Solutions for Great Lakes Birds  

Funding Secured for Michigan’s Wetlands  

By protecting wetlands, we can help save some of our most vulnerable species. This spring, 30 advocates representing six chapters participated in Audubon Great Lakes’ Advocacy Day at the Michigan State Capitol, where they met with their state lawmakers to share the significant role wetlands play in the survival of birds like the Black Tern—a species that is hanging on by a thread in the state.  

Michigan’s wetlands are now set to receive vital restoration funding. This advocacy helped secure $10 million for The Water Infrastructure Initiative – Green Infrastructure Project in the state budget, which will provide finding to encourage local municipalities to restore and conserve wetlands and undertake other proactive strategies before flooding events occur. The budget also includes $3 million for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to acquire and conserve wetlands throughout the state.  

This fall, members and residents gathered for Audubon Great Lakes’ Birds and Brews, co-hosted by the Grand Rapids Audubon Club, to celebrate this important wetland restoration funding and learn about opportunities to protect Michigan’s birds. 

Wetlands Protection Legislation Passed in Wisconsin 

Wetlands can help solve several challenges facing wildlife and communities. They provide habitat for birds and they protect our communities from flooding, and that’s just the start. In 2024, Governor Evers signed SB 222, the Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grant Program into law—a bipartisan victory for Wisconsin’s wetlands and the birds and communities that depend on them. As the first state program of its kind, SB 222 will provide funding to encourage local governments to restore and conserve wetlands and undertake other proactive strategies before flooding events occur.

Audubon members from across Wisconsin advocated for the passage of SB 222, joining policy experts for Audubon Great Lakes’ Advocacy Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol in spring of 2023 to share the importance of Wisconsin’s wetlands with their elected officials. As the bill made its way through the legislature, Audubon members sent more than 1,500 letters to their legislators in support of its passage.

Audubon Defended Wetlands in Indiana 

At the start of the year, concerned Audubon members, experts and Indiana residents from across the state gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to urge lawmakers to protect Indiana wetlands. More than 20 Audubon members from across the state met with over 32 Indiana lawmakers to advocate for strong wetlands protections, sharing the importance that these natural areas provide to birds and other wildlife. 

The Indiana Legislature took a step in the right direction for wildlife and communities that depend on Indiana’s wetlands by signing SB 246 into law. Introduced by Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange), the law encourages landowners to protect wetlands on their property by allowing some privately owned wetlands to be given “wildland” status, which qualifies them for tax breaks. 

Throughout the year, Audubon residents from across Indiana gathered for Birds and Brews events across the state, presented by Audubon Great Lakes in partnership with Audubon chapters. Each event welcomed local leaders and policy experts for a discussion on opportunities to advance policy solutions to protect wetlands and address climate change for the benefit of birds and people.  

Events took place at the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, which welcomed more than 60 participants; in Indianapolis where 90 Audubon members and residents gathered for the event, co-hosted by Amos Butler Audubon Society; and in Hammond where more than 60 Audubon members and residents gathered for the event, co-hosted by Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society.  

Voters Said Yes to Protect Forest Preserves in Northern Illinois  

Twice each year, millions of birds pass through the Great Lakes region. Lake County’s Forest Preserves in Northern Illinois provide much-needed habitat for many of these migrating species. This fall, voters in Lake County—including many Audubon members—passed a proposition that will help protect, restore and improve wildlife habitat to help birds and other wildlife. New funding will be used to acquire and restore Forest Preserve land that birds urgently need.  

Funding Secured to Protect Ohio Waters 

Audubon participated in a coalition of Ohio conservation groups that worked to get Governor DeWine’s budget request fully funded for the H2Ohio program, designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Funds will support the creation of wetlands, improvements to aging infrastructure, and programs to reduce nutrient runoff and ensure safe and clean water in Lake Erie and throughout Ohio. 

Conserving the Places Great Lakes Birds Need  

Great Lakes Piping Plovers Have Another Record-Breaking Season 

This year's breeding season for the endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers marks a significant milestone, as these remarkable shorebirds have achieved their third consecutive record-breaking breeding season. There was a total of 81 unique breeding pairs across the region this summer (the most since their Endangered Species Act listing), which is one more than last year’s record of 80 pairs. Against the backdrop of ongoing conservation challenges, the continued success of these endangered birds stands as a testament to the tireless efforts of dedicated conservationists, volunteers, and community members. 

Uncovered Threats Facing Great Lakes Piping Plovers 
A newly published study in Waterbirds: The International Journal of Waterbird Biology has revealed new evidence that Common Grackles, an opportunistic foraging species that primarily consumes seeds and insects, will prey on the eggs of endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers. The study, led by Tom Prestby of Audubon Great Lakes, and Sarah Saunders of the National Audubon Society, and partners provides the first photographic documentation of Common Grackles consuming Piping Plover eggs.  

Monitored Endangered Marsh Birds in Indiana Using Groundbreaking Techniques 

New technology is helping fill critical data gaps and inform on-the-ground conservation. Many marsh birds have experienced significant population declines due to the loss of healthy wetlands throughout Indiana. To understand population trends and inform conservation strategies to help bring birds back, Audubon Great Lakes is testing new tools: Autonomous Recording Units and environmental DNA metabarcoding, which could help revolutionize how these birds are monitored and protected, helping to recover declining populations.  

Started Wetland Restoration Project in Allouez Bay 

The St. Louis River Estuary region, where Allouez Bay is located, has been identified by Audubon scientists as one of the 12 most important coastal wetland regions across the Great Lakes that are critical to conserve or restore for vulnerable marsh birds. This project aims to transform the dense stands of invasive cattails into a more diverse and dynamic marsh environment, supporting native wildlife by enhancing marsh bird, waterfowl, and fish habitat, and promoting ecological health. Breeding marsh bird species include American Bittern, Least Bittern, Black Tern, and Yellow-headed Blackbird, all of which are Wisconsin Species of Greatest Conservation Need.  

Launched Conservation Ranching Program in Wisconsin 

Audubon's Conservation Ranching program launched in Wisconsin! This program is a growing and innovative habitat effort aimed at stabilizing declining grassland bird populations through partnerships with local farmers and ranchers in central Wisconsin and the Driftless Area to establish and enhance grassland bird habitat on their lands. The program operates through a bird-friendly land certification, which recognizes producers who manage their lands for birds and biodiversity. The program’s entry in Wisconsin builds on success in 14 other states, where more than 100 ranches covering nearly 3 million acres have earned status as Audubon Certified bird-friendly land. 

New Restoration Project Conserved Wetlands for Vulnerable Marsh Birds and Wildlife in the Eastern Lake Michigan Region

Audubon Great Lakes in collaboration with Ottawa County Parks and Recreation and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, launched a transformative wetland restoration project aimed at revitalizing Ottawa Sands County Park in Ferrysburg, in the Eastern Lake Michigan region. This ambitious endeavor encompassed two key components: shoreline restoration and interdunal wetland creation. Approximately 3,300 linear feet of shoreline was restored, fostering habitat for diverse wildlife and birds. 

Debuted Innovative Tool to Safeguard Migratory Birds in the Illinois Coastal Region 
Audubon Great Lakes announced the launch of a groundbreaking conservation tool designed to identify key regions within the Illinois coastal area critical for the management of habitat for migratory birds. The Illinois Coastal Stopover Tool is a new interactive technology and data tool that aims to provide valuable insights into migratory stopover habitat, offer habitat management recommendations, and raise awareness about the unique needs of birds during their migration journeys across the region.