Detroit Audubon Information on Humbug Marsh

By Jim Bull

Detroit Audubon Society was a leader in the campaign to save Humbug Marsh, which is now the centerpiece, the "gem" of the refuge. We were part of the international consortium that produced a vision for the Lower Detroit River, which included an International Wildlife Refuge (building on the idea proposed by Peter Stroh and Rep. John Dingell). We worked hard to get the refuge established and have been a partner with the refuge from its inception. We helped organize the grand opening of Humbug Marsh including leading the first public hike into that natural area. Detroit Audubon volunteers lead wildflower hikes into Humbug for on a cold and snowy, and muddy April Sunday. We lead 2-3 field trips for our members and friends into Humbug each year, and have lead educational programs for school groups for the suburbs and from Detroit into that natural area. We have given talks on aspects of the refuge as part of Canadian and U.S. cruises on the river for the public and dignitaries. We helped organize the National Wildlife Centennial Celebration which was held a Lake Erie Metropark, and annual participate in Hawkfest in that park which is within in the refuge boundary.

Detroit Audubon volunteers have helped create habitat, manage, research (including banding) and protect a colony of the state-threatened Common Tern on the protection pier of Wayne County's bridge to Grosse Ile. All of Grosse Ile is within the refuge boundary and we did that work in conjunction with the staff of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

Detroit Audubon is represented on the International Wildlife Refuge Board of Directors and has made significant donations to that "friend" of the refuge organization. We also secured a grant of $5,000 to do outreach for the refuge. This webpage is part of that effort, as are the reports done by high school students on birds of the refuge.

Future plans include having an office in the visitor center that will be built on the property adjacent to Humbug Marsh, including have an outlet of our bookstore there, and ultimately one or two employees stationed there full time who will recruit, train and supervise volunteers in doing environmental education programs for students of all ages. You might just be one of those future volunteers, or maybe you know a friend who would want to volunteer to help the next generation appreciate and protect this precious Detroit River natural legacy. There may be direct management activities too like doing bird surveys, and pulling invasive plants like Phragmites and Buckthorn.

Look at the volunteer section of our webpage to keep update on opportunties to help out.

Humbug Canoe Sojourn

Endangered Species of Humbug

Common birds of Humbug

Detroit Audubon Society Humbug Field Trip Photo Gallery:

Look for pictures here soon

Official Detroit International Wildlife Refuge Web Site - Click here for information