Sat. May 19 IBA Program Dedication Ceremonies

[Caleb Putnam]

Please distribute this press release to all appropriate listservs and media 
outlets, and please attend!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Caleb Putnam, Coordinator
Michigan Important Bird Areas Program
Phone (616) 774-3000
Email cputnam at audubon.org

Public Invited to Attend the Dedications of two Michigan Important Bird 
Areas (IBAs) on Saturday May 19, 2007

ROSCOMMON MI & EAST TAWAS MI, The Michigan Important Bird Areas Program will 
hold Michigan’s first-ever IBA dedication ceremonies to recognize two 
northeastern lower peninsula sites for their outstanding value to wild bird 
conservation. The Kirtland’s Warbler Management Units (located in scattered 
sites near Grayling, Mio, and the eastern upper peninsula) will be 
recognized at 9:30 AM during the Kirtland’s Warbler Festival at Kirtland 
Community College in Roscommon. Tawas Point State Park will be recognized at 
3:30 PM at the south pavilion at Tawas Point State Park in East Tawas, as 
part of the Tawas Point Birding Festival.

The IBA Program is a global initiative created by BirdLife International of 
London, England. It is administered in the United States by Audubon of New 
York. In Michigan, the IBA program is implemented by a consortium of 
conservation organizations: Audubon, Michigan Audubon, Detroit Audubon, and 
the Kalamazoo Nature Center.

The Kirtland’s Warbler is a small, colorful songbird which nests almost 
entirely within a few managed forests of northern Michigan and nowhere else 
on Earth.  There are currently fewer than 2,900 individuals remaining, 
though the population is increasing due to successful management by three 
government agencies since 1972.  Tawas Point State Park is a vital stopover 
habitat for migrating songbirds, waterbirds, and raptors, which use the site 
during spring and fall for crucial rest and feeding.

Activities at the dedications will include speeches by representatives of 
the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tawas Point State 
Park, State Senator Tony Stamas, the state IBA coordinator, and other 
officials, following by a ribbon-cutting and formal sign unveiling.

For more information about the IBA Program
http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/
www.birdlife.org

Kirtland’s Warbler Festival
http://warbler.kirtland.edu/

Tawas Point Birding Festival
http://www.tawasbirding.com/

Caleb G. Putnam
Michigan Important Bird Areas Coordinator
1345 Monroe Ave NW, Ste. 210
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Tel. & Fax. 616-774-3000
Email. cputnam at audubon.org

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