Interagency cooperation is hallmark of KW recovery

 
By AMY MAHAFFY

Whoever said it takes a village might have had the Kirtland’s Warbler – and the tremendous interagency cooperation it has taken to revive the species – in mind.

In 1967, the number of Warblers had dwindled to fewer than 100. But the first of its kind recovery team, relying on cooperation from variety federal and state agencies, has raised the number to more than 1,200 breeding pairs.

The Warbler needs a very specific habitat. It also needs help fighting against nest parasites, especially the brown-headed cowbird. Thanks to the efforts of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Service, and even the work of a wildlife biologist and students in the Bahamas, the Warbler is thriving.

Ten members sit on the Kirtland’s Warbler Recovery Team, which meets twice a year. Its summer meetings are held on the campus of Kirtland Community College. Often, the meetings include 30-50 others – many of them retired team members and agency personnel involved in managing the KW habitat.

Everyone has ideas on how to help the species and that is what the meetings are for.

“I think if we have a shared understanding of this species, agencies can identify their opportunity for making a contribution within their agencies,” Rex Ennis, of the U.S. Forest Service and chair of the Recovery Team. “As a team we can foster a greater understanding.”

Without the teams working together none of the success would be possible.

“It’s important because it allows a pooling of resources,” said Mike DiCapita of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, adding that there is no way that any single agency would have the means necessary to do the recovery.

“There has been success in the past by working together,” said Ennis, “It’s led to a significant recovery.”

The U.S. Forest Service is extremely important because the federal government owns large plantations of jack pines that are used for the Warbler habitat. The service harvests the jack pines and manage reforestation. The USFS controls the majority of land that is clear-cut or burned in an effort to create the kind of habitat needed for the warbler and other species.

The Michigan DNR is instrumental in the field management of the program, using a blueprint provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The USFWS coordinates the Endangered Species Act and also has leads the effort in controlling the cowbird population.

An informed public is a key factor in the success of the program and a lot of the education comes from Kirtland Community College, Ennis said. Many people are unaware of the need for the clear cuts and for the controlled burns and that is where the college plays a lead role.

“They have championed a significant contribution through the Kirtland’s Warbler Festival, not only reaching students but citizens as well,” Ennis said.

Through nature study and biology classes, students learn a little bit about the Warbler and its unique habitat it needs to thrive.

Kirtland also educates through the Kirtland’s Warbler Festival as well by letting the public learn about the Warbler and bringing people from all areas to learn about the bird. It also informs people through marketing gaining a much broader constituency of people aware about the Warbler.

“We’ve recently recognized and realized that an informed public and support base is what we need to continue,” Ennis said.

The recovery team members use the latest research in an effort to manage the recovery and foster a greater collaboration among scientists, Ennis said. They go through the breeding populations, censuses, and implementation schedule to ensure future successes.

There are emergency measures that they could act on if the population ever fell below 100 breeding pairs. They would breed the birds in captivity and then release them into the wild. Ennis feels at this point the emergency measures will not have to be exercised due to the success of the current recovery program.

“We have a successful model and hope to continue,” said Ennis.

So far, so good – thanks to the dedication of many hardworking people working together for the sake of the Kirtland’s Warbler.