The Michigan Natural Features Inventory plans to field a team (known as the MNFI De-listers) for the 35^th Annual Southwest Michigan Team Birdathon, which is organized by Sarett Nature Center and occurs in Berrien County. This is a fun competition in which teams of birders compete to identify as many bird species as possible in a defined area over a 24-hour period. Last year’s winner tallied 151 species!

Although a few of us at MNFI have participated in this event as part of other teams, 2024 marks the first time we will have a team of our own! Many conservation organizations use the event to raise funding for their work by asking people to support their team with pledges, either with fixed amounts or amounts per species. We ask you to consider supporting our team by making a flat donation to MNFI’s Endowment Fund. Donating to this fund will help us conserve Michigan’s biodiversity in perpetuity.

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This year our team consists of Eric Branch (Zoologist), Aaron Kortenhoven (Ecologist), Mike Sanders (Env. Review Specialist and Zoologist), and Mike Monfils (Director). The event is scheduled for May 18, and we will be sure to report on our results. Wish us luck!