Merrill maple producer first in Wisconsin to earn bird-friendly recognition

A Merrill maple syrup operation with local roots stretching back more than a century has become the first in Wisconsin to be recognized through the National Audubon Society’s Bird-Friendly Maple program, connecting local syrup production to a broader conservation effort aimed at reversing decades of forest bird population decline.
Nature’ly Sweet, owned and operated by Christopher Petron and his family, taps more than 15,000 trees across 220 acres of sugarbush. The operation, formerly known as SpringLight Maple, was established in 2015 after the Petron family — Christopher, his wife Paige, and their four children — learned the craft in Minnesota before relocating to Wisconsin to take over the original Maple Hollow sugarbush.
That forest has a long history. Commercial syrup production was first established there in 1953 by the Polak family, the originators of Maple Hollow, though the family is believed to have harvested maple sap from the land since the late 1800s. Today the sugarbush is certified organic and supports a diverse mix of tree species alongside its signature maples.
The Bird-Friendly Maple program partners with syrup producers to improve habitat conditions for forest birds, many of which have seen steep population losses — eastern forest bird populations have dropped 27% since 1970, according to the 2025 State of the Birds report.
Jacob Crawford, an Audubon forest ecologist, said sugarbushes offer more than syrup.

“Sugarbushes are more than places where maple syrup is made — they are important ecosystems that provide nesting and foraging habitat for forest birds such as Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager,” Crawford said. “Producers like Christopher Petron are demonstrating how thoughtful forest management can support both sustainable businesses and thriving bird populations.”
As part of the program, Nature’ly Sweet incorporated Bird-Friendly Maple guidelines into its forest stewardship plan, emphasizing a mix of tree ages and species, preserving standing dead trees for cavity-nesting birds, and retaining downed woody material on the forest floor. The operation also plans to add Bird-Friendly Maple branding to its product labeling.
Nature’ly Sweet joins more than 145 producers nationwide in the program. Audubon maintains a digital Bird-Friendly Maple Producer Map for consumers seeking conservation-minded options.
Nature’ly Sweet, located at W1889 Robinson Dr. in Merrill, can be reached at 715.539.2950 and naturelysweet.com.