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Kirtland’s Warbler Initiative

Kirtland’s Warbler Initiative. Sustaining the Success… . Kirtland’s Warblers in MI. North America’s rarest songbird Nests almost exclusively in northern Michigan jack pine forests 1987: Less than 200 Kirtland’s warblers in Michigan 2011: Over 1800 Kirtland’s warblers in Michigan

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Kirtland’s Warbler Initiative

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  1. Kirtland’s Warbler Initiative Sustaining the Success…

  2. Kirtland’s Warblers in MI • North America’s rarest songbird • Nests almost exclusively in northern Michigan jack pine forests • 1987: Less than 200 Kirtland’s warblers in Michigan • 2011: Over 1800 Kirtland’s warblers in Michigan • Currently under Endangered Species Act protection • ESA protection includes federal funding for cowbird trapping and active jack pine management • Resulting from strong interagency efforts, ESA recovery goals have been met, but a sustainable plan for continued jack pine habitat management and cowbird trapping is necessary to see Kirtland’s Warblers removed from the ESA and sustain their recovery. • First for conservation! No bird species has every been delisted as a result of habitat management efforts.

  3. Kirtland’s Warbler Initiative • Program launched in 2012 with selection of Huron Pines by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) • Goal – develop an innovative public-private partnership that begins delisting of species and supports long-term conservation • Built on the foundation of work by MDNR, USFS, USFWS and Recovery Team • Developed by USFWS, NFWF and other Kirtland’s warbler partners over 5 years • Incorporates 3 strategies; • Development of stakeholder group – Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance • Establish a long-term fund to provide dollars for anticipated funding gaps • Conservation objectives outlined in Cooperative Agreements, long-term management plans with agencies

  4. Agency Participation • 90% of potential habitat in NLP on State or National Forest land • Agencies committed to KW conservation for over 40 years • Fish and Wildlife Service • Forest Service • Michigan Department of Natural Resource • Agency MOU • Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Plan • Long-term strategic plan for KW conservation on breeding grounds • Partnerships are key to successful conservation!!! • DNR strongly supports Huron Pines and the KW Initiative

  5. Economic & Recreational Benefits of Active Jack Pine Management Sustaining the Kirtland’s warbler isn’t just the right thing to do, it also makes sense for the region’s economy and quality of life. • Timber • Tourism • Outdoor Recreation

  6. Timber • Kirtland’s warblers typically nest in 5 to 20-year old jack pine forests over 80 acres which include numerous openings. • Clear-cutting, planting and prescribed fire mimic historical wildlife conditions necessary for forest regeneration. • Harvested jack pine is used for pulpwood, construction, boxes, crates, containers, posts, poles, piling, mine timbers, railway ties and fuel. • In 2012, 100 acres of jack pine forest could yield up to $70,000 in gross timber and pulpwood sales and provide one full-time private sector job. • Michigan currently keeps 150,000 acres of jack pine in rotation to provide 38,000 acres of Kirtland’s warbler nesting habitat.

  7. Tourism • An estimated 469,000 Michigan residents and 135,000 nonresidents travel away from home to watch songbirds in Michigan according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service. • Kirtland’s warbler, as North America’s rarest songbird, has the potential to attract a significant following of these birders. • In 2011, 68 organized Kirtland’s warbler tours were conducted. • 687 birders participated in organized tours, many of whom lodge, eat, and purchase gas and supplies in the Kirtland’s Warbler region.

  8. Outdoor Recreation • Approximately 69,000 anglers and 66,000 hunters reside in counties containing Kirtland’s warbler nesting habitat. • Management practices like clear-cutting jack pine and allowing regeneration also support game species including whitetail deer, grouse, black bear, wild turkey, small game and furbearers. • Young jack pine stands also provide thermal cover for whitetail deer and other game. • Kirtland’s warbler habitat also contains some of Michigan’s premier trout waters, such as the AuSable River. • The opportunity to view Kirtland’s warblers while trout fishing provides an additional incentive to fish these waters, according to local guides.

  9. The Big Picture • Recovery effort rooted in Michigan, new program being launched from Michigan • Continued KW conservation programs = strong, healthy jack pine forest • Wildlife viewing/outdoor recreation growing economic driver – opportunity to promote unique natural asset • Public-private partnership model broader implications for conservation

  10. Questions? Working to gather a diverse coalition of partners To find out how you can help, contact: Abby Ertel, Kirtland’s Warbler Coordinator Huron Pines 4241 Old US 27 South, Suite 2 Gaylord, MI  49735 Tel: 989.448.2293 ext. 14 abby@huronpines.org

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