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Bird Sanctuary to unveil five-year plan PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kara Haas   
Tuesday, 31 May 2011 14:19

For over 80 years the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary has served as an outdoor classroom for students and adults from across the state and beyond.  The Sanctuary was established in 1927 on a scenic lake located between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek to serve as a resource for the community and Michigan State College of Agriculture (Michigan State University).  The Sanctuary has always been a place where the public could come to see many types of birds up close; but with time, the Sanctuary has served in many other capacities.

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Today the Sanctuary is a thriving part of Michigan State University.  Over 11,000 people visit the Sanctuary each year on their own or as part of an organized group.  Several thousand school children learn about bird adaptations, diets, and nesting behavior from trained volunteer tour guides during their visits.  College-level natural science classes from MSU, Western Michigan University, Olivet College, Spring Arbor and Albion College use the grounds as an outdoor classroom as well.  Monthly family and adult classes are offered throughout the year to increase awareness and knowledge of birds, habitat and conservation.    

The Sanctuary is making plans for an equally exciting future.  With the help of members, donors, staff and an advisory council, the Sanctuary recently completed a user survey to gather input on the types of programs and educational experiences that should be provided in the future.  The survey results have been used to put together a five-year strategic plan for the Sanctuary.  Highlights include creating community partnerships for land management activities, opening hiking trails around Wintergreen Lake and continuing internship and citizen science opportunities.  The Sanctuary plans to serve our community for many more decades as an outstanding outdoor classroom.

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If you’d like to learn more about future plans for the Sanctuary, please attend a public meeting on Wednesday, June 1 from 6-8 pm at the Kellogg Biological Station’s Academic Center Auditorium (3700 East Gull Lake Dr. Hickory Corners, MI 49060).