
where we work
The mission of the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture (UMGL JV) is to deliver the full spectrum of bird conservation through regionally based, biologically driven, landscape-oriented partnerships. The geographic boundary of the UMGL JV includes all of Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, plus portions of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio.
recent
news & events
Ducks Unlimited Fellowships – Announcement of 2024 competition
Ducks Unlimited is pleased to announce that this is the first year that they will be offering the David R. Luukkonen Waterfowl and Wetland Graduate Student Fellowship. Dave was a long-time partner and contributor to the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture.
Northern Forest Birds Network 2023 Conference
The Northern Forest Birds Network is a collaborative conservation partnership supported by the Upper Mississippi / Great [...]
Northern Forest Conservation Delivery Network welcomes Jayme Strange as new coordinator
The Midwest Region is pleased to welcome Jayme Strange to our Upper Mississippi/Great Lakes Joint Ventures staff where she will work in a leadership role on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and partner forest habitat issues in our region.

Ryan Brady is a Conservation Biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation. He coordinates citizen-based monitoring programs for owls, nightjars, and secretive marsh birds; serves as Science Coordinator for Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II; and conducts a variety of communication and outreach activities related to birding and bird conservation.
partnerships
across the joint venture
Since 2007, JV partners have restored or enhanced 1,378,500 acres across the region. Also during this time, 167,800 acres of bird habitat were protected.
Learn more about the partnerships across the joint venture that work collectively to achieve habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement.