| Sea Grant Extension Educator Mary Bohling (center) and partners admire the new Byways to Flyways birding map. Below, students from Lincoln Park High School gather on the new observation deck at Humbug Marsh. Students from the school's Agriscience Program helped build the deck. Photos: Marsee |
Byways to Flyways: A Driving Tour of Featured Birding Locations The Byways to Flyways map highlights 27 exceptional birding sites in Southeast Michigan and Southwest Ontario, Canada. The map provides a brief description of each site, amenities, and directions, as well as a sampling of the species documented at each site. “The advisory team selected sites that would give the reader a feeling for the habitat diversity and species richness that abounds in the region,” notes Sea Grant extension educator Mary Bohling. Bohling also serves as secretary of the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance. To obtain a copy of Byways to Flyways, and to view the map see: Metropolitan Affairs Coalition Website |
Urban Refuge: Equipped with cameras and binoculars, nearly 200 people gathered at Humbug Marsh May 12 to help celebrate the completion of several conservation projects. A ribbon cutting ceremony on the wooded shoreline of the Detroit River marked the official dedication of a new wildlife observation deck, educational kiosk and interpretive panel, and release of the Byways to Flyways bird driving tour map. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate,” said John Hartig of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, noting that May 12 was also International Migratory Bird Day. The Detroit River and western Lake Erie region encompass a diversity of unique habitats located at the intersection of the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways.
Other speakers echoed Hartig’s enthusiasm. “How cool is this?” commented John Schaust of Wild Birds Unlimited, addressing the crowd. “I’m here with all of you … in this beautiful spot, watching scarlet tanagers and warblers in the trees above us. This is an outstanding location.” The projects were made possible through a grant from Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. Pathways to Nature Conservation Fund, in partnership with the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and by many contributing partners. Speakers also included Extension Educator Mary Bohling of Michigan Sea Grant, who coordinated production of the bird driving tour map, Director Dale Hall of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Congressman John Dingell (D-MI). All noted the important role of local, regional and bi-national partnerships in completing the projects. “This wildlife observation deck and bird driving tour map are excellent examples of what we’re doing through public-private partnerships to provide an exceptional outdoor recreation and conservation experience to improve the quality of life of people in metro Detroit,” said Dingell. He added that the project demonstrates a commitment to reconnecting children and families to nature and to helping develop the next generation of conservationists. Contributing partners included Michigan Sea Grant; AT&T Foundation; Praxair; the Lincoln Park High School Agriscience Program, whose students constructed the observation deck; DTE Energy’s Trenton Channel Power Plant and Green Team; Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters—Local 687; Laborers’ International Union of North America—Local 499; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers—Local 17; U.W.U.A., Local 223, AFL-CIO; Metropolitan Affairs Coalition; Mid-American Group; Stoneco of Michigan; Hoppert Farms; Snow’s Nursery; Davey Tree Service; Gibraltar Dept. of Public Works; Monroe Fence; Mans Lumber and Millwork; Brand Scaffolding Services; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Byways to Flyways Advisory Team. |
