A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Join Us

ATOUR FEBRUARY MEETING!

Thursday, February 2nd 7:00pmFoster Community Center, Room 213 200 N. Foster Ave, Lansing MI

Michigan's Wildlife Action Plan and State of the Bird Speaker - Tony Henehan, DNR Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator, Wildlife Division

Join us to learn about the State Wildlife Action Plan, how it helps birds and species of special concern here in Michigan and what the Restoring America's Wildlife Act could mean for our state.

Tony Henehan oversees the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), a 10-year recovery plan for the Species of Greatest Conservation Need of Michigan. SWAPs are guiding documents for rare species recovery across the United States. Michigan’s SWAP outlines management goals and recommendations for our 406 Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Tony began his position with the DNR in November of 2021. Before this, he spent 8.5 years in South Texas where he attended Texas A&M University-Kingsville for his Master’s degree in Rangeland and Wildlife Management and then worked as a Wildlife Biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Tony enjoys birding, exploring, and board games.

Michigan is a big part of my life and has helped foster my love of the outdoors. I was born and raised in Michigan and spent the majority of family vacations visiting the Upper Peninsula, Lake Michigan, various state parks and camping at county parks close to home.

My dad and great-uncle taught me to fish, my grandpa inspired my love of birds, my step-dad fueled my sense of adventure with impromptu road trips to discover local areas of interest, and my mom gave me the confidence and curiosity to explore on my own and the understanding that outdoor spaces should be available for everyone.

When my husband and I started dating, we took trips to the U.P., were engaged on Mackinaw Island, and were married overlooking the Little Traverse Bay. As we started our own family, we took summer trips to the Higgins Lake, bought a camper and a boat, and spent time each summer visiting a new-to-us state parks and some of our long time favorites.

So as you can see, Michigan and my family are deeply intertwined. The plans for Michigan's wildlife conservation, outdoor recreation and land management will impact our family as well as many future generations of Michiganders.

I am very thankful for the conservation and recreation focus that the State of Michigan has taken, but also am reminded that each of us are personally responsible for reaching out and participating in the planning decisions and supporting legislation that keeps wild animals and wild spaces at the forefront.

It can seem like many of the wildlife plans in our state revolve around those species that are revenue generators for the state, like deer and waterfowl, but this month's speaker, Tony Henehan will share with us how the State Wildlife Action Plan helps many different birds including the migratory species we love to see each spring.

He will also share how the Restoring America's Wildlife Act could impact our state and the birds that depend on it.

Keeping our waters clean, and restoring wildlife habitats is one of the most important ways to help keep Michigan healthy as our climate warms. The passing of the Resorting America's Wildlife Act will help contribute additional funds to keep Michigan's Wildlife Plan on track. I can't wait to hear all about it at our meeting.

Hope to see you all soon!

Kristy Taylor CAAS Board President