TTSS AND TRUMPETERS SAY GOODBYE TO A GREAT FRIEND, Joe Johnson

On October 9, 2012, the Society lost Director and friend Joe Johnson. W. C. "Joe" Johnson wrote and implemented the restoration plan for Trumpeter Swans for Michigan and served as the State's Trumpeter Swan restoration coordinator. He led the very successful effort to restore the magnificent Trumpeter to part of its historical nesting range after over a century.

The native of Kalamazoo was best known for his waterfowl and wetland expertise, but his interests and experience were much broader. Joe was an avid hunter and served on the National Board of Directors of Pheasants Forever for 16 years. He was elected to the Board of Directors of The Trumpeter Swan Society in 2003 and was an active member and TTSS Conference participant for many years prior to that. Since 1987, he has been the Chair of the Mississippi Flyway Council's Swan Committee, continuing to serve even in retirement. At the time of his swan song, he was leading the Flyway Council's effort to revise the management plan for Trumpeters.

Joe worked at Michigan State University's W. K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary for 48 years. He retired in 2007 after being the sanctuary's Manager since 1985. In addition to his excellent work with swans, he was instrumental in the successful return of Giant Canada Geese to Michigan.

Joe spent his last days at Rose Arbor Hospice Center that is surrounded by a natural space with ponds frequented by flocks of Canada geese. As Joe's family left Rose Arbor all of the geese took flight hours earlier than their normal routine to escort Joe to the his next Sanctuary. We will sorely miss his friendship and good counsel. We will have to search for someone else to keep us in line according to Robert's Rules of Order. He was truly one of kind!