Linton, IN (Could 6, 2026) – On the peak of spring migration, when tens of millions of birds are returning to the Midwest, Governor Mike Braun joined Audubon Nice Lakes, Sassafras Audubon Society, Amos Butler Audubon Society and Indiana Division of Pure Sources at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Space in Linton on Monday, Could 4 to have a good time the return of birds again to Indiana and the significance of defending the locations they depend upon.
The go to comes simply days earlier than World Migratory Chook Day on Could 9, a world celebration of birds and a reminder of the rising threats they face alongside their journeys.
“As a landlord to a colony of Purple Martins that largely depend upon human-provided housing, I recognize the chance to go chicken watching alongside Audubon Nice Lakes,” mentioned Gov. Braun. “I’ll proceed my dedication to conserving Indiana’s pure heritage to profit each wildlife and Hoosiers who get pleasure from our nice outdoor.”
“Birds are in decline, and migration is among the most harmful occasions of their lifecycles,” mentioned Michelle Parker, Vice President & Govt Director of Audubon Nice Lakes. “To reverse this decline, or ‘bend the chicken curve,’ we should shield and restore the habitats birds depend upon. Locations like Goose Pond present us what’s doable when habitats are restored. We’re grateful to Governor Braun for becoming a member of us to expertise the wonders of spring migration and this important work.”
A 2025 State of the Birds Report, printed by a coalition of science and conservation teams, discovered that birds throughout most habitats have suffered main losses since 1970, underscoring the urgency of conservation motion.
Throughout the outing, Audubon representatives shared the threats going through birds and the significance of conservation tasks like Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Space, one of many largest and most profitable wetland restoration tasks in the US. For greater than 20 years, the positioning’s 5,000 acres of restored wetlands and 1,300 acres of reconstructed tallgrass prairies have supplied important habitat to birds.
Designated as an Audubon Vital Chook Space (IBA), Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Space now supplies habitat for greater than 300 chicken species, making it a premier vacation spot for birdwatchers and important stopover for migratory birds.
In Indiana, Audubon Nice Lakes screens weak marsh birds at 29 websites perceive how they’re responding to restoration efforts, which provides us the data we have to know to guard them sooner or later. In Northwest Indiana, we’re working alongside the group to immediately restore 420 acres of high-priority wetlands, together with alongside the West Department of the Little Calumet River in Gary. Over the following decade, Audubon goals to positively impression 5,750 acres throughout Northwest Indiana with companions and group.
A lot of this work is supported by the Nice Lakes Restoration Initiative, a conservation program that has supported greater than 8,000 tasks which have improved water high quality, restored wetlands, strengthened coastal resilience and guarded chicken and wildlife habitat. Via the Nice Lakes Restoration Initiative, Audubon has labored with companions to revive and preserve greater than 10,000 acres of wetland habitat—supporting weak marsh birds, clear consuming water, and flood safety for communities throughout the area.
“We thank Governor Braun for supporting the Nice Lakes Restoration Initiative throughout his time within the US Senate,” mentioned Parker.
