Representing the birding communities of Marquette and Alger Counties
The LAUGHING WHITEFISH BIRD ALLIANCE was formed in 1992 (name changed in 2023) as a Chapter of the Michigan Audubon Society. The Alliance serves birders in Marquette and Alger Counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, although we have members from lower Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and other states.
PURPOSE OF THE CLUB:
- Achieve through education, public recognition of the value and need for protecting and preserving wildlife, plants, soil, water, and other natural resources, as well as an understanding of their interdependence;
- Promote interest in our native birds and their habitat because of their significant economic, cultural, and recreational value; and
- Aid the Michigan Audubon Society in its study, conservation, and research efforts.
ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY THE CLUB:
Activities are free to the public, as well as to our members.
Monthly programs from September through April each year. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month in the Community Room of Peter White Public Library in Marquette from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Field trips to local areas of birding interest as well as an occasional trip to areas out of our region.
Monthly bird walks around Presque Isle Park in Marquette from June through September. These walks last about 2 hours and are a good way to introduce the public to birding.
Coordination of Christmas Bird Counts in the city of Marquette, in Alger County, in Cedarville (Mackinaw County – Les Cheneaux Area) , in Gwinn, and the Peshekee Grade area of Baraga and Marquette Counties.
Sponsorship of a yearly Research Grant to promote birding research in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION – “Our Board of Directors previously voted to drop the name Audubon from our chapter name due to a desire to distance ourselves from the man John James Audubon. It has recently become widely known that Audubon was a slaveholder, an opponent of the emancipation of Black Americans, and a desecrator of Native American graves. We have been participating in an effort to find a name that expresses our values, and that may be adopted by other chapters in the Great Lakes states. At our October 16 meeting, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt the name Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance. That will be our official name going forward.”
LAUGHING WHITEFISH BIRD ALLIANCE BOARD
Jeff Towner, Chair chielenstowner@msn.com
Matt Betts, Vice-Chair & Newsletter Editor m.betts.art@gmail.com
Cathy Waller, Secretary, and Treasurer cathy@upwallers.net
Brian Murphy, Outings Chair, Facebook and Web Page Design brian@murdav.com
Beth Olson, Newsletter upbirdie@gmail.com
Gary Palmer
Skye Haas
Jude Holloway
Thom Skelding
Sue Anderson
BY-LAWS OF THE LAUGHING WHITEFISH BIRD ALLIANCE
Press here to view a current copy of the By-Laws – Updated February 2024