October 5, 2021

Earlier in 2021, Senator McBroom presented Senate Resolution 20 to encourage the Natural Resources Commission to add Greater Sandhill Cranes to the game species list in Michigan. At their March 3 meeting, the Senate Committee halted approving this resolution due to discrepancies and inconsistencies in both the data cited and rationale purported by the proposal. At a later date, the Committee approved a similar resolution, which is now awaiting review by Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC). If the Commission approves the logic and rationale of the proposal at this juncture, the Sandhill Crane species would risk losing necessary federal protections afforded to migratory birds. The Natural Resources Commission is preparing to hear a presentation on the Sandhill Crane from a Michigan DNR staff member, Barb Avers, on Thursday, October 14.

Organizations and groups allied with Michigan Audubon's position on this issue are encouraged to complete this form and sign on to a letter to Governor Whitmer and Michigan's Natural Resources Commission urging them to protect and preserve this species in and of its own right and in the spirit of best wildlife management practices.