Over the years, one of Northeast Michigan’s greatest success stories has been the restoration of Kirtland warbler habitat.

By restoring jack pines across the region, the bird’s numbers have climbed to the point where, today, they have been removed from the federal list of endangered species.

“The Kirtland’s warbler was one of the first species in the United States to be put on the federal list of endangered and threatened species, and today’s action by the U.S. Department of the Interior marks the latest chapter in a remarkable wildlife success story,” said Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger.

Indeed, one of the DNR’s wildlife biologists who many consider an expert on the Kirtland warbler is Elaine Carlson, of Alpena. Over the years, she and another DNR biologist, Jerry Weinrich, did exhaustive studies and research on the warbler, jack pine restoration, and the correlation between the two.

Their tireless work and research, along with that of many others, led to this week’s historic announcement.

“The effort to recover the Kirtland’s warbler is a shining example of what it takes to save imperiled species,” said Margaret Everson, principal deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Kirtland warbler was one of the first species listed on the U.S. list of endangered species. At the time, in 1974, there were only estimated to be 167 pairs of birds in the world.

While once the warbler’s summer home was limited to jack pine stands in Northeast Michigan, today its range also includes the Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, and Ontario. It is estimated there are more than 2,300 pairs of Kirtland warblers living in that range today.

The Kirtland warbler is a remarkable success story.

And, that story is made even better because of its Alpena connection.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)