Sweet on Habitat: First Wisconsin Maple Producer Recognized Through Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple Program

MERRILL, Wis. (May 4, 2026) — As forest bird populations decline, one Wisconsin maple producer is showing how working forests can be part of the solution. Nature’ly Sweet, operated by Christopher Petron in Merrill, is the first producer in the state to be recognized through the National Audubon Society’s Bird-Friendly Maple program. The recognition highlights the operation’s commitment to managing its sugarbush—a forest of maple trees used for syrup production—in ways that support birds, biodiversity, and long-term forest health. 

In the Bird-Friendly Maple program, Audubon partners with maple syrup producers to improve forest and habitat conditions critical for forest bird species, many of which are in decline across North America. According to the 2025 State of the Birds report, populations of eastern forest birds have decreased by 27% since 1970, underscoring the importance of local conservation efforts to help stabilize bird populations. 

Nature’ly Sweet manages approximately 220 acres of sugarbush. Petron’s operation produces maple syrup sold online, at markets, and at regional trade shows—now connecting each bottle to a conservation story. The business plans to incorporate Bird-Friendly Maple branding into its product labeling and marketing materials, helping consumers identify and support products that contribute to bird conservation. 

“Sugarbushes are more than places where maple syrup is made—they are important ecosystems that provide nesting and foraging habitat for forest birds such as Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager,” said Jacob Crawford, Audubon Forest Ecologist. “Producers like Christopher Petron are demonstrating how thoughtful forest management can support both sustainable businesses and thriving bird populations.” 

As part of the program, Nature’ly Sweet worked with forestry professionals to incorporate Bird-Friendly Maple guidelines directly into its forest stewardship plan. This approach creates a more diverse and resilient forest by maintaining a mix of tree ages and species, preserving standing dead trees for wildlife habitat, and retaining downed woody material on the forest floor—key elements for biodiversity. 

These practices provide critical habitat for a variety of bird species. Dense understory vegetation supports nesting birds like the Veery, while standing dead trees provide essential habitat for woodpeckers and other cavity-nesting species. 

The recognition marks an important step in expanding Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple program into the Midwest, made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Interest continues to grow among Wisconsin producers, with additional assessments and partnerships underway statewide. Through collaborations with the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension Maple Syrup Program, the initiative is building awareness and providing technical support to help producers adopt bird-friendly practices. 

By working with producers, foresters, and partners, the Bird-Friendly Maple program aims to scale conservation across working forests—ensuring maple syrup production remains both economically viable and ecologically beneficial. 

Nature’ly Sweet joins a growing network of over 145 maple syrup producers committed to managing sugarbushes for birds. Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple Producer Map provides consumers interested in conservation with a digital directory of recognized producers. 

Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple program in Wisconsin is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.

For more information about the Bird-Friendly Maple program in Wisconsin, please contact Jacob Crawford.