Name of Project: Lyman East Kirtland’s Warbler Habitat Planting

Number of Trees to be Planted: 112,000

Directly Benefits: Kirtland’s Warbler

Location: Michigan

Year: 2011

Goals

• Replenish 150 acres of Jack pine fores
• Regenerate habitat for the Kirtland’s Warbler

Notable Highlights

American Forests will plant 150 acres of dense Jack pine stands to increase the Kirtland’s Warbler habitat within Lyman East Salvage Timber Sale. Approximately 750 trees per acre will be planted to bring the overall density of planted and natural seedlings to 1089 trees per acre, which is in accord with our four other Kirtland’s Warbler habitat projects.

In 1973 the Kirtland’s Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) was declared an endangered species. Kirtland’s Warbler breeds only in dense tracts of young Jack pines, a species that has been harvested for timber since European settlers arrived to the region in the 1800s. The deforestation of these forests decimated the Kirtland’s Warbler’s habitat, and by the middle of the 20^th century the bird was nearly extinct. It’s currently estimated that there are about 5,000 individuals, but due to reforestation efforts such as this, the Kirtland’s Warbler population is growing.

View all Michigan projects | View all 2011 projects | Back To Main