Phoenix, a peregrine falcon, gets animated while waiting for his dinner to arrive. The Chocolay Raptor Center threw a party in honor of the 100th anniversary of the effective date of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act on Sunday. The act, signed by the U.S. and Great Britain — acting on behalf of Canada, then part of the British Empire — made the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1916 official. Since then, all native migratory birds in the U.S. have been protected. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

HARVEY — The Chocolay Raptor Center threw a party in honor of the 100th anniversary of the effective date of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act on Sunday.

The act, signed by the U.S. and Great Britain — acting on behalf of Canada, then part of the British Empire — made official the treaty, which was first introduced in 1916. Since then, all native migratory birds in the U.S. have been protected. The act was a landmark decision between two bordering countries and an environmental victory.

“It was really rare for two nations to come together to pass a treaty like this,” said Suzi Maynard, a partner at the Chocolay Raptor Center.

To celebrate, cake was served along with refreshments at the center in Harvey. Marquette resident Jack Deo made an appearance dressed as the historical figure and local nature photographer George Shiras III. Shiras, an early conservationist, played an important role in getting the treaty passed. Attendees were invited to walk the center’s grounds and visit the mews, where the birds are housed.

Prior to the treaty, many bird populations were close to extinction.

“So many species were being whipped off the earth, hunted to extinction,” said Bob Jensen, co-founder of the raptor center. “This treaty has been protecting the birds for many years.”

Jensen and his partners, Jerry and Suzi Maynard, went on to explain that due to fashion trends of the era, lack of regulation and market hunting practices many bird species were being decimated.

“At the turn of the previous century bird feathers were a big part of their fashion. Women of any means were wearing feathers and the more exotic, the more of those feathers were needed,” Suzi Maynard said.

Thanks to the efforts of Audubon advocates and other early conservationists, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act has been credited for saving many species from extinction, such as the snowy egret, sandhill crane, wood duck and numerous others.

After 1916, the US. would go on to make similar treaties with Mexico, Japan and the Soviet Union. As a result, more birds, as well as their habitats, went on to be protected.

“Birds don’t know borders,” Jensen said. “That’s why it had to be an agreement between countries.”

Recently the Trump administration announced a new interpretation of the MBTA that would grant a free pass for all bird deaths resulting from industrial activities. This interpretation would prevent any enforcement of industrial impacts on bird populations. The National Audubon Society has come out in opposition to these changes.

Corey Kelly can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243.