Bird City program continues sweep of state, recognizes 5 new communities
Bird City Wisconsin recognizes Door County and “Loon Capital”
State conservation project honors 5 new communities as its ranks swell to 87
Five more Wisconsin communities statewide have been saluted for their long-term commitment to working with residents to make their neighborhoods a better place for people, birds and other wildlife. The new group includes Mercer, New Berlin, Whitewater, Reedsburg and DeForest.
BCW communities each receive a special Bird City Wisconsin flag, plaque and two street signs to be erected at their boundaries, marking their conservation achievements.
Modeled on the “Tree City USA” program, Bird City Wisconsin has developed 22 conservation criteria across five categories. Communities must meet at least seven criteria to be recognized as an official Bird City. Through their website, BCW has recruited both public officials and interested citizens who belong to Audubon groups, nature preserves, conservation organizations and many others to be effective partners for developing and implementing Bird City strategies.
Bird City has strongly promoted the Natural Resource Foundation’s Great Wisconsin Birdathon, which provides funding for many Wisconsin bird conservation programs, including DNR-affiliated projects such as the WI Stopover Initiative and the WI Bird Conservation Initiative.
Bird City accepts applications for initial certification three times each year. The next deadline is November 1, 2014. Recognition is renewable annually with certification valid from April 1 to March 31.
For more information on these communities or to apply to become a recognized community, visit www.birdcitywisconsin.org.