Guelph has officially been named a bird friendly city – the 17th city in Canada to hold the designation.
It received the title after Nature Canada recognized its commitment to protecting declining bird populations from human-made threats, working with Bird Safe Guelph, the Arboretum and Nature Guelph, among others, to turn the community into a safe haven for wild birds.
As wild bird populations are decreasing at alarming rates, Nature Canada launched the Bird Friendly City certification program to encourage Canadian municipalities to become safer and better places for birds.
It determines whether a city is bird friendly by judging three categories: threat reduction, habitat protection and community outreach and education. Guelph received the most points in threat reduction and community outreach and education.
It did so through implementing the following:
- One Canopy Strategy to achieve city-wide canopy cover targets
- Natural Heritage Action Plan, which provides outdoor education opportunities and metrics to maintain and conserve important landscapes, incorporating Bird Friendly Design and Lighting Guidelines
- Distributing window treatment kits to the public and creating a window mural at City Hall
- Guelph Cat Population Task Force, which is determining how to address the threat cats pose to the wild bird population
“Birds play an essential role in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems in our communities and on our planet,” the news release from Nature Canada reads. “But there are three billion fewer birds in North America today than 50 years ago.”
Much of these losses, according to Nature Canada, are caused by human activities.
“As urban expansion continues, cities must act quickly to ensure that North America’s bird populations are protected and supported.”
The program encourages communities to reduce the number of human-related threats to birds, which includes roaming cats, pesticide use and glass treatment on buildings; to create safe environments for birds by ensuring natural habitats are protected and restored; and to educate citizens about the benefits of being a bird friendly city.
However, being recognized is only the start.
“Our action so far is just the beginning of the work that needs to be done to prevent the mass bird death that occurs in Canada each year,” said Bird Safe Guelph founder Hayley Spina.
Spina's colleague Angela Demarse added that “it’s a challenge to do better.”
Each year, the city will have to review the bylaws and design standards that are still harming wildlife,” she said. “Let’s keep going."
