This year I am dedicating my Giving Tuesday to raising funds to support Michigan Audubon's ongoing commitment to Whitefish Point Observatory (WPBO). Your support will help build and grow the WPBO endowment that will secure its long-term future and that of the birds it is invested in protecting.

I have lived in Michigan my entire life, and while my visits to the northern shores of the U.P. haven't been numerous, my experience with Michigan Audubon has taught me so much about the ecological importance of this area and its natural features that make it a concentration zone for migrating birds. Whitefish Point has been identified as a Globally Important Bird Area for several species of conservation need, and thousands of birds use Whitefish Point as critical stopover habitat during spring and fall migrations.

Whitefish Point Bird Observatory celebrates over 40 years of avian research, and Michigan Audubon is committed to maintaining the research and conservation projects it has come to be known for, which include:

• Assessing the status of bird populations and movements through our annual migration counts and owl banding programs. 
• Habitat protection, stewardship, and restoration work on and around Whitefish Point, emphasizing jack pine and dune and swale habitats.
• Monitoring the Piping Plover, providing protection to its nesting areas, and educating the public about this endangered species.
• Expanding onsite programs and learning opportunities in avian conservation and habitat preservation.

We are witnessing the steepest decline in North American migratory bird populations in history. The challenges facing birds are numerous and must be met with responsible, scientific, and collaborative action — the kind of work that Whitefish Point Bird Observatory makes possible every day. The magic of WPBO is revealed in unique moments like those witnessed this year — the successful nesting of two Piping Plover pairs and the Point's first recorded sighting of a Ruff. Together, we can protect Michigan birds from further declines.

Please support my campaign to raise $500 for the WPBO endowment.

~ Sarah Pooler

Since Whitefish Point was established as a Globally Important Bird Area and avian monitoring site in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula over 40 years ago, we have simultaneously witnessed what statistics confirm is the steepest decline in North American migratory bird populations in history. With this increased awareness and concern, we are presented with opportunities to act, educate, and better collaborate on behalf of the birds we enjoy and are invested in protecting. 

There is also much to celebrate in sharing our hope and optimism in securing a bright and healthy future for Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. This year we observed three pairs of Piping Plovers, two of which successfully nested. We celebrated the Point’s first recorded sighting of a Ruff, and our owl banding program experienced its highest count of Long-eared Owls banded in a single season. The magic of WPBO is revealed in moments like this that remind us what is possible.

We know the continued long-term management and care of WPBO is important to our membership, our chapters, and our leadership, and we are committed to strategically planning for the future of this invaluable place. When Michigan Audubon acquired WPBO in 2016, a fund was established to help secure that future. We are thrilled to share that our vision and commitment to building the WPBO endowment into a sustaining fund for avian research is achievable in the near future with the support of you: our members and partners in Michigan bird conservation!

Today we are asking for your support with a tax-deductible donation to fund the multidimensional work of Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. When you contribute to this appeal, you will be making an extraordinary gift — one that will help secure a bright future for Michigan birds and will strengthen the human connection to avian conservation that is so critical to our mission. 

Michigan Audubon is committed to growing this endowment to achieve full operational sustainability of WPBO’s research program by the end of 2023. This is an ambitious goal, yet your investment today will put us on the path toward that end. A robust endowment will also allow us to redirect our annual fundraising efforts to accelerate much-needed improvements to our infrastructure, and the expansion of conservation programs and learning opportunities which include:

• Developing new internship opportunities to nurture the next generation of conservation stewards, scientists, field workers, and ornithologists.

• Expanding our seasonal staffing to enhance onsite education and engagement.

• Making structural improvements to create a new interactive and interpretive education space in the Owl’s Roost Gift Shop.

The challenges facing Michigan birds are numerous. We must continue to meet those challenges with the responsible, scientific, and collaborative action that Michigan Audubon’s Whitefish Point Bird Observatory makes possible and to share the impacts of that work with the public to raise the collective consciousness in protecting the birds we love from further declines. 

From all of us at Michigan Audubon, and on behalf of the birds these funds directly support, thank you for your generosity and your investment in Whitefish Point!