Protecting the Kirtland’s Warbler

IF THEY’RE LUCKY, visitors to Michigan forests might see a flash of yellow flit through the trees. The colorful display belongs to the Kirtland’s warbler — one of the rarest songbirds in the world. Half a century ago, this bird was on the brink of extinction. Just 167 pairs remained in the wild after losing a large portion of their forest habitat. Today, thanks to widespread planting efforts, more than 2,300 Kirtland’s warblers are thriving in the Great Lakes region. They’re the first and only songbird to be removed from the endangered species list. And donors like you have played a critical role in this success.

Restoring Critical Forest Habitat

Kirtland’s warblers are native to central Michigan. They nest in large stands (160 acres or more) of young jack pine trees, roughly five to 20 years old. Wildfires are a key part of this ecosystem, burning the older forest and clearing the way for the younger trees to grow. But over time, humans stepped in to suppress these fires, limiting the growth of young jack pine forests. The warbler was placed on the endangered species list in 1967. No time was wasted in conserving these beautiful birds. Reforestation efforts began as early as the 1970s, with both state and national agencies pitching in to help. In recent years, Arbor Day Foundation supporters have planted millions of new trees in Michigan in support of the warbler, contributing to one the greatest conservation wins of the decade.