Concern regarding secretive marshbirds has been increasing across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions over the past few decades. This is due in large part to the loss of much of the historic wetland and coastal marsh habitat once present across the region. The secretive nature of marshbirds has also led to limited knowledge of marshbird life history and difficulty in understanding marshbird response to habitat management and restoration.

The Midwest Marsh Bird Partnership was formed in 2012 to formalize and increase coordination and collaboration between the informal partnerships that had been working on marshbirds in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. The working group is comprised of biologists and land managers from federal and state government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions and research organizations. The working group has developed coordinated marsh bird conservation objectives for monitoring and research. Support has also been provided by the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture partnership.

Our Vision: Sustainable marsh bird populations in the Midwest and Great Lakes supported by habitat conservation, research, and monitoring.

Our Mission: A collaborative partnership that implements marsh bird conservation in breeding and migratory areas of the Midwest and Great Lakes by facilitating strategic communication, providing science-based technical assistance, and deploying adaptive management.

Marshbird Framework

In January 2023, the working group began the process of building a Marshbird Framework to guide future monitoring, research, prioritization, and communication for the partnership. A Technical Team was formed, representing 13 different organizations, to begin the development and implementation of the framework starting In June of the same year. The framework identified 4 goals to move marshbird conservation research and management forward, while keeping efforts in line with the Joint Venture’s goals. The first version of the framework was completed in July of 2025 and presented to the full Midwest Marshbird Partnership.

Goals of the Marshbird Framework:

• Synthesize existing knowledge about marsh birds to identify conservation needs, management recommendations, and knowledge gaps.

• Provide spatially explicit resources that facilitate conservation action.

• Implement research and monitoring to fill information gaps.

• Build broader engagement with stakeholders influencing marsh bird conservation.

The expected results of implementing the plan will be an increase in acres of habitat protected, restored, and enhanced for secretive marsh birds at key locations.

Who We Are

In February 2026, with the technical team’s objective of building a framework completed, the Partnership adopted a new structure composed of a Steering Committee and Work Teams, each tasked with specific goals and objectives.

Our Steering Committee and Work Teams include scientists, land managers, biologists, and other experts in migratory bird science and conservation. They represent universities, federal agencies, state fish and wildlife agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

Steering Committee & Work Team Members:

• Coordinator of the Midwest Marshbird Partnership: Nathan Michael, Audubon Great Lakes & Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture:
• Co-Chair, Midwest Marshbird Partnership: Michael Monfils, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, MSU Extension
• Co-Chair, Midwest Marshbird Partnership: Rachael Pierce, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Birds Program
• Stephanie Beilke, Audubon Great Lakes
• Andy Hinickle, Audubon Great Lakes
• Kristin Malone, SUNY Brockport
• Brendan Shirkey, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy
• Ben Williams, Illinois Department of Natural Resource
• Kaitlyn Barnes, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division
• Auriel Fornier, Illinois Natural History Survey
• Erin Giese, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
• Melissa Gabrielson, Ducks Unlimited & Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture
• Doug Gorby, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service & Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture

To learn more or get involved:

Nathan Michael – Marshbird Conservation Manager

Audubon Great Lakes / Upper Mississippi Great Lakes Joint Venture

Nathan.Michael@audubon.org