Habitat Discovery Center

The Habitat Discovery Center

Two years after the founding of Saving Birds Thru Habitat, Kay and Jim Charter deeded two acres of their land to Saving Birds for a home. Then Jim Charter headed up a group of volunteers in building our Habitat Discovery Center. Following that, the organization has added native trees, shrubs and native flower gardens around the property. The goal is to ultimately have it covered entirely with native plants (except for an area outside the Discovery Center for large gatherings).

Our Habitat Discovery Center is located in Omena, Michigan, and is adjacent to a 45-acre private conservation effort, Charter Sanctuary, which has hosted more than sixty nesting species. A hundred additional species use the property for foraging during migration.

Looking East from the Habitat Discovery Center over Charter Sanctuary.

November 7th, 2023

In 2023 over 600 plants representing some 80 species native to the area were planted at the Discovery Center as part of a larger project to expand and improve the grounds.

In the past the area under the various trees and shrubs on the property have been mowed. This deprives moth and butterfly species that overwinter as larvae of essential habitat. Smothering the turf grass and adding mulch and compost improves that situation.

We have some serious infestations of alien species, including particularly Autumn olive and Japanese stilt grass. We will be tackling those in the coming year.

Deer predation is a growing problem just about everywhere, and mitigation plans will be considered, including fencing.

Cindy and I donate to Saving Birds Thru Habitat as opposed to other conservation organizations for two reasons. Saving Birds is a small, grass roots organization that works in large part because of the efforts of volunteers, so we know our donations are not being used to support a huge administration. We also love the educational programs of Saving Birds. The public doesn’t seem to realize that good earth stewardship is not optional. Saving Birds is helping to correct this misconception by teaching young and old alike that we all depend on healthy ecosystems.

Doug Tallamy, Professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at University of Delaware, avid birder, award winning author (Bringing Nature Home) and popular speaker.
What propelled Saving Birds Thru Habitat to the short pile of the French Foundation's favorite grantees was the lessons it teaches. Not that the actual on-the-ground habitat work isn’t impressive and important, but showing the public the value of that work magnifies the contribution a thousand-fold. We consider Saving Birds Thru Habitat one of our very best investments for wildlife.

Ted Williams, author of: The Insightful Sportsman, Wild Moments and Earth Almanac.
My favorite hat to wear is the one that says "Saving Birds Thru Habitat" for three reasons: 1) It reflects how I try to live my conservation life, 2) It shows my support for the most effective conservation organization I know because 3) the name and the mission are the same and both reflect a laser-like focus on making places better for birds.

Study after study has shown that habitat loss and degradation are the primary threats to healthy bird populations. Nothing else comes close. That's why I am such a strong supporter of Saving Birds Thru Habitat and its programs that teach so many people how to improve habitats for birds.

Greg Butcher, International Migratory Species Coordinator, U.S. Forest Service

Saving Birds Thru Habitat • PO BOX 288, Omena, MI 49674 • (231) 271-3738 • info@savingbirds.org
Habitat Discovery Center: 5020 N. Putnam, Omena, MI 49674