WASHINGTON, DC/BOULDER, June 6, 2023: American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Environment for the Americas (EFTA) join forces today to announce the launch of the Bird City Network, a bird conservation program that connects cities across the Americas in a unified effort to expand the conservation of birds.

The Bird City Network serves as a collaborative platform designed to promote sustainable urban planning, create bird-friendly communities, and raise awareness about the vital role people play in supporting bird populations. By fostering cooperation within and among communities, the program seeks to ensure the long-term well-being of birds by enhancing their habitats, safeguarding their migratory routes, reducing threats to their survival, and providing education to youth and adults. These steps help create healthy communities that also benefit people.

“With more than 50 percent of the global human population living in urban areas, it is essential that we recognize the critical role cities and other communities like towns and villages can play in protecting bird populations. By uniting cities across the Americas, we can create a powerful force for avian conservation,” said Michael J. Parr, President of ABC.

The program encourages participating communities to implement a range of conservation actions, such as the preservation and restoration of natural habitats, the reduction of hazards posed by built structures, and the promotion of community events that raise public awareness of birds and their protection. Bird City Network participants receive guidance and support from ABC and EFTA, including access to resources, educational materials, and best practices in urban bird conservation.

“Urban areas have the potential to provide habitat for birds that depend on our cities,” said Dr. Susan Bonfield, Executive Director of Environment for the Americas. “The Bird City Network offers cities a unique opportunity to collaborate, learn from one another, and adopt strategies that will ensure our urban environments become safe and welcoming spaces for birds.”  

By engaging cities from North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean, the program fosters international cooperation and raises awareness about the conservation challenges facing migratory birds across the Americas.

“Many people do not like what they see happening to wildlife in the world around them and would like to make a change but do not know where to begin — Bird City is their guide,” said Dr. Bryan Lenz, ABC’s Bird City Network Director. “Recognizing that local partnerships are the heart of meaningful long-term change, the Bird City model seeks to empower relevant grassroots actions where neighbors work together to improve the spaces they share.” 

In areas with existing regional Bird City programs, communities interested in becoming a Bird City can immediately reach out to those programs about starting an application through the Bird City Network website’s Program and Communities section. Communities in areas without an established regional program will need to help Bird City Network establish a regional program to which they can apply — they can share their suggestions for regional organizations that might be willing to partner on a Bird City program with the Network via the “Interested in Bird City?” button on the upper right-hand side of the website (https://birdcity.org/).

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American Bird Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. With an emphasis on achieving results and working in partnership, we take on the greatest problems facing birds today, innovating and building on rapid advancements in science to halt extinctions, protect habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation. Find us on abcbirds.org, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@ABCbirds).

Environment for the Americas (EFTA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people across the Western Hemisphere to bird conservation. Environment for the America’s work includes creating internship programs for the next generation of conservation leaders as well as coordinating World Migratory Bird Day in the Americas. Find us on environmentamericas.org, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (enviroamericas). 

Media Contact: Jordan Rutter, Director of Public Relations| jerutter@abcbirds.org | @JERutter

Contact: Susan Bonfield, Director|sbonfield@environmentamericas.org

 Bird City Colorado is a program that connects community members to bird conservation through actions that help to create a bird-friendly environment, from educational activities to habitat restoration, partnerships, reduction of plastics, and more. The  program is a rigorous certification that must be accomplished each year to ensure that actions continue to benefit bird populations. The process for becoming a Bird City requires submission of an application, which will be reviewed by our team at Environment for the Americas.. Successful applications are followed by public recognition.. To learn more about Bird City Colorado, contact us at info@environmentamericas.org.