AUTHORS: Michael Monfils, Michigan Natural Features Inventory; Rachael Pierce, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Kaitlin Barnes, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Stephanie Bielke, Great Lakes Audubon; Dani Fegan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Auriel Fournier, Illinois Natural History Survey; Erin Giese, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay; Doug Gorby, Upper Mississippi/Great Lakes Joint Venture; Andrew Hinickle, Great Lakes Audubon; Kristin Malone, SUNY Brockport; Kali Rush, Ducks Unlimited; Brendan Shirkey, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy; Ben Williams, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
ABSTRACT: Secretive marsh birds, such as grebes, rails, and bitterns, have received increased attention from the conservation community in recent decades due to declining populations, resulting in several species being identified as endangered and threatened at state levels and species of greatest conservation need in state wildlife action plans. Despite increased concern for these species, conservation activities targeting secretive marsh birds has been limited in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. To meet objectives for these species identified in regional and state conservation plans, greater communication, coordination, and collaboration among partners is needed to overcome barriers hindering marsh bird habitat conservation. With support from the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture, a group of partners began work in early 2023 to create a framework that would provide the information and tools needed to deliver increased conservation activity for marsh birds. We will describe the process used to develop the framework and give an overview of the resulting vision, mission, goals, objectives, and strategies. We will also provide details on our plans for implementation, highlight current activities, and describe opportunities for people to get involved.
