King Rail, adult and chick, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Ottawa county, Ohio

Conservation in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Audubon Great Lakes is dedicated to protecting birds and the habitat they need for survival.

Audubon Great Lakes works across all five Great Lakes and the diverse landscapes of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin—from shorelines, wetlands, and rivers to forests, grasslands, and prairies—protecting birds in the places they need throughout their full life cycle. We collaborate with local, state, and federal partners while empowering chapters and regional organizations to lead conservation in their communities.

How We Make a Difference

We work locally to protect birds. Click on a project to learn more.

Bird-Friendly Maple in the Great Lakes

WI

Stabilizing declining forest bird populations by increasing the acreage of healthy forests.

Aerial view of marsh sites in Ottawa County, Ohio.

Restoring the Western Lake Erie Basin

Protect the Lake Erie wetland and shoreline habitats that birds rely on during migration and breeding, and improve water quality for the wildlife and people who live there.

Marsh Bird Monitoring Hub

Interactive data tool that informs restoration efforts benefiting birds and people.

Protecting Birds in the Calumet Region

Audubon Conservation Ranching in the Great Lakes

WI

Stabilize declining grassland bird populations in partnership with farmers and ranchers.

Ariel of potholing and channeling at Allouez Bay

St. Louis River Estuary Restoration

WI

Conserve and restore wetland conditions marsh birds need to thrive in northwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Minnesota.

Black Tern perched on post.

Detroit River and St. Clair Flats Restoration

MI

Spearhead protection and restoration of the Detroit River and St. Clair Flats wetlands, home to the largest colony of threatened Black Terns in the Great Lakes region.

Bird’s eye view of the southwest corner of the old mine lake (Ottawa Sands Lake), encompassing 80 acres, created by sand mining operations. The shoreline grading and littoral zone creation is visible through the clear water and includes the creation of th

Eastern Lake Michigan Restoration

MI

Coordinate large-scale restoration at key Eastern Lake Michigan wetland sites to ensure healthy, thriving habitats for Great Lakes marsh birds.

Restoring Hatcher Park and Marshalltown Marsh

Gary, IN

Working collaboratively on a vision for restoration rooted in community and climate resilience in Gary, Indiana. 

Black Tern with wings spread wide against a blue sky.

Black Tern Conservation

Ensure the long-term survival of one of the Great Lakes’ most iconic birds, the Black Tern.

Wetland habitat with birds flying overhead.

Saginaw Bay Restoration

MI

Protect the birds that depend on these vital coastal habitats by mitigating threats and building long-term, community-supported ecological health and resilience across the region.

Ms. Packer, Great Lakes Piping Plover on beach

Great Lakes Piping Plover Monitoring and Stewardship

Help ensure the long-term recovery of the endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover through monitoring, stewardship and advocacy.

American Bittern.

St. Marys River and Straits of Mackinac Restoration

MI

Build robust community partnerships and coordinate large-scale, on-the-ground wetland restoration to rebuild vital habitats and help birds across this region thrive.

Drone picture of Lakeview Wildlife Management Area.

Eastern Lake Ontario Marshes Restoration

NY

Restore and care for the wetlands that vulnerable marsh birds need in the North Country of Upstate New York.

Song Sparrow with twigs in beak.

Braddock Bay Restoration

NY

Restore and protect coastal wetlands for vulnerable marsh birds in Western New York and the Finger Lakes Region.

Pied-billed Grebe, adult and chick in marsh

Lakeshore Marshes Montezuma Area Restoration

NY

Conserve and restore wetland conditions marsh birds need to thrive upstate New York.

Audubon Habitat Restoration Interns.

Habitat Restoration Internship Program

Chicago, IL

Train the next generation of conservation leaders and build conservation-focused community among youth.

Wildlife tracking system receiver tower in Michigan, with snow on the ground.

Tracking Migratory Birds in the Great Lakes

Understand the places that migratory birds rely on in the Great Lakes region during their epic journeys across the hemisphere.

Black-crowned Night Heron perched in tree

Niagara River Corridor Restoration

NY

Restore wetlands for vulnerable marsh birds in western New York.

Green Bay Restoration

WI

Restore wetlands for vulnerable marsh birds and protect the Great Lakes Piping Plover in Northeast Wisconsin.

Common Yellowthroat on a branch with bug in mouth

MI Birds Program

MI

Bring together birders and other wildlife enthusiasts in the understanding, care, and stewardship of Michigan’s public lands and waters that are important for birds and communities.

Young Wild Indigo participant looks through binoculars.

Wild Indigo Nature Explorations

Build lasting relationships between urban communities of color and their local natural areas.

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