Eastern Lake Michigan Restoration

Along Eastern Lake Michigan lie coastal wetlands and river-mouth ecosystems that are vital for birds and people—providing critical habitat for bird nesting and migration while also improving water quality, protecting coastlines, and providing outdoor opportunities for local communities across western Michigan. Unfortunately, up to 90 percent of the region’s original wetlands have been lost, leaving behind fragmented habitats that species like the Cerulean Warbler, Marsh Wren, and Virginia Rail depend on to survive.  

Audubon is working to protect these remaining wetlands by bringing together scientists, volunteers, and local partners to study bird populations, guide conservation planning, and carry out on-the-ground restoration. Efforts such as removing invasive plants and improving stormwater management systems help birds thrive, in addition to reducing flooding in local communities and boosting water quality—all of which strengthens the area’s resilience in the face of climate change.  

This project is part of Audubon’s broader effort to protect 12 priority coastal wetland regions across the Great Lakes. Since 2018, Audubon and its partners have restored 2,000 acres of wetlands and assisted in the restoration of another 8,000 acres across these priority landscapes. A major focus of this work in the Eastern Michigan region is the Grand River Coastal Corridor, where Audubon has partnered with Ottawa County Parks and local stakeholders since 2018 to conduct an in-depth scientific assessment and develop conservation recommendations to most effectively restore key marsh bird habitats and connect natural areas across Grand Haven, Muskegon, and Grand Rapids. 

Future plans include ongoing monitoring of marsh birds and other key species to better understand their needs and guide restoration/management actions, alongside establishing outreach programs that offer opportunities for the public to take part in conservation planning and learning more about these rich, diverse wetland landscapes. 

Partners on this project include The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service, Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, Gun Lake Tribe, the Wege Foundation, Ottawa County Parks and Recreation, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, Groundswell, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission, Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership, Grand Haven Township, Land Conservancy of West Michigan, Spring Lake Township, City of Grand Haven, City of Norton Shores, West Michigan CISMA, Ottawa Conservation District, Grand Valley State University, and the Grand Haven Board of Light and Power. Audubon’s work in the Eastern Lake Michigan region is supported by the Wege Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Sustain Our Great Lakes Program.