Little more than a month after the black-capped chickadee was declared Guelph’s official bird, city council is seeking recognition as a “bird friendly city.”
Meeting as the committee of the whole on Tuesday afternoon, council unanimously approved a motion endorsing an application for certification through Nature Canada.
“I’m in full agreement,” Mayor Cam Guthrie said of seeking the designation. “It’s a way of engaging the community about awareness.”
In order to be recognized as a bird friendly city, Nature Canada officials require municipalities to show they’re working to reduce human-related threats to birds; they’re taking steps to protect and restore bird habitat, with climate resilience in mind; and have undertaken community outreach and education efforts.
City staff feel Guelph meets those requirements, largely through natural heritage system policies and the city’s official plan, states a report to the committee.
“Guelph is committed to protecting birds and bird habitat, as demonstrated through existing policies, programs and partnerships,” it reads. “By becoming a bird friendly city, partnerships among local organizations and other certified municipalities will be strengthened.”
The city also has urban design guidelines that aim to prevent bird-window collisions and has undertaken a variety of tree-planting efforts.
Following two rounds of public voting that ended on April 22, Guelph’s official bird was declared to be the black-capped chickadee. It received 1,656 votes, followed by 715 for the chimney swift and 407 for the green heron.
In order for the bird-friendly city application to go forward, council ratification of the committee’s decision in needed. Council is expected to formally address the matter during its meeting on June 27.
