Peregrine Partners of Southeast Michigan and the Macomb Audubon Society will sponsor a party for peregrine falcons Saturday, March 28. This informational evening of food and fun will benefit the Department of Natural Resources' Nongame Wildlife Fund and peregrine falcon rescue efforts in Southeast Michigan.

The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 16831 E. 12 Mile Road in Roseville. Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available until March 21 at www.partyforperegrines.myevent.com.

Planned activities include a raffle, a silent auction, a live peregrine falcon presentation by wildlife rehabilitator Dave Hogan and more.

Supporting peregrine falcons is important as the birds recover from major population decline. In the 1960s the population took a nosedive due to the use of DDT. The shells of peregrine falcon eggs became extremely fragile and few youngsters hatched. By 1968, the entire peregrine falcon population east of the Mississippi was gone.

Michigan began its peregrine recovery efforts in 1986. In 1993, the peregrines in Michigan began reproducing successfully. In 2014, there were 42 nest sites in Michigan, with 16 sites in Southeast Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.