MERRILL, Wis. (Might 4, 2026) — As forest hen populations decline, one Wisconsin maple producer is exhibiting how working forests might be a part of the answer. Nature’ly Sweet, operated by Christopher Petron in Merrill, is the primary producer within the state to be acknowledged by way of the Nationwide Audubon Society’s Fowl-Pleasant Maple program. The popularity highlights the operation’s dedication to managing its sugarbush—a forest of maple timber used for syrup manufacturing—in ways in which assist birds, biodiversity, and long-term forest well being.
Within the Fowl-Pleasant Maple program, Audubon companions with maple syrup producers to enhance forest and habitat situations crucial for forest hen species, a lot of that are in decline throughout North America. In keeping with the 2025 State of the Birds report, populations of japanese forest birds have decreased by 27% since 1970, underscoring the significance of native conservation efforts to assist stabilize hen populations.
Nature’ly Candy manages roughly 220 acres of sugarbush. Petron’s operation produces maple syrup offered on-line, at markets, and at regional commerce exhibits—now connecting every bottle to a conservation story. The enterprise plans to include Fowl-Pleasant Maple branding into its product labeling and advertising and marketing supplies, serving to customers determine and assist merchandise that contribute to hen conservation.
“Sugarbushes are greater than locations the place maple syrup is made—they’re vital ecosystems that present nesting and foraging habitat for forest birds resembling Wooden Thrush and Scarlet Tanager,” stated Jacob Crawford, Audubon Forest Ecologist. “Producers like Christopher Petron are demonstrating how considerate forest administration can assist each sustainable companies and thriving hen populations.”
As a part of this system, Nature’ly Candy labored with forestry professionals to include Fowl-Pleasant Maple tips instantly into its forest stewardship plan. This method creates a extra various and resilient forest by sustaining a mixture of tree ages and species, preserving standing useless timber for wildlife habitat, and retaining downed woody materials on the forest flooring—key parts for biodiversity.
These practices present crucial habitat for a wide range of hen species. Dense understory vegetation helps nesting birds just like the Veery, whereas standing useless timber present important habitat for woodpeckers and different cavity-nesting species.
The popularity marks an vital step in increasing Audubon’s Fowl-Pleasant Maple program into the Midwest, made potential by a grant from the U.S. Division of Agriculture Forest Service. Curiosity continues to develop amongst Wisconsin producers, with further assessments and partnerships underway statewide. Via collaborations with the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Affiliation and the College of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension Maple Syrup Program, the initiative is constructing consciousness and offering technical assist to assist producers undertake bird-friendly practices.
By working with producers, foresters, and companions, the Fowl-Pleasant Maple program goals to scale conservation throughout working forests—guaranteeing maple syrup manufacturing stays each economically viable and ecologically useful.
Nature’ly Candy joins a rising community of over 145 maple syrup producers dedicated to managing sugarbushes for birds. Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple Producer Map gives customers curious about conservation with a digital listing of acknowledged producers.
