(May 29, 2025) -- Michigan’s birds are at risk. But there are opportunities to protect them. That’s why a group of Audubon Chapter leaders joined us at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday, April 30 to raise awareness on important policy solutions that will protect and conserve the habitats that birds need.  

Chapter leaders from Grand Rapids Audubon Club, Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance and Oakland Bird Alliance joined Audubon Great Lakes staff to meet with state lawmakers. Through sit-down conversations in lawmakers’ offices, advocates shared their deep love for birds, and the urgency of protecting them.  

A sweeping new report, State of the Birds, shows that U.S. birds are declining sharply across a range of habitats. One of the greatest threats facing Michigan birds is the loss of wetlands habitats, which species like the state-threatened Least Bittern need to survive. Advocates also shared how climate change is expected to impact species like the state-endangered Henslow’s Sparrow if we don’t take action.   

Advocates urged lawmakers to:  

• Protect Michigan’s wetlands by supporting robust funding for wetland restoration within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ budget.  Wetlands are important natural spaces that provide habitat for vulnerable birds, store water to address flooding, and act as filters to help keep Michigan’s water clean.

• Support community solar programs, which allow multiple participants, residents, businesses, or organizations to subscribe to offsite solar projects and receive credit on their electricity bill for the power produced, just as if the panels were on their roof. Community solar helps families and businesses lower and stabilize their bills, while driving investments in local communities and providing redevelopment opportunities for distressed and abandoned properties. 

• Grow renewable energy responsibly. We must advance clean energy and transmission while protecting bird habitat at the same time by ensuring that projects are built in areas that avoid and minimize impacts to birds and their habitat.   

We thank Audubon chapter leaders for meeting with state lawmakers, and for recognizing that together we can protect the habitat that birds need to thrive while creating stronger communities.  

If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, join Audubon Great Lakes movement to protect Great Lakes birds! Sign up to become a Great Lakes bird advocate, and we’ll reach out with opportunities near you to advocate for bird-friendly policies.