FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Boulder and Superior Recognized as Bird Cities — Join the Celebration at World Migratory Bird Day

Boulder, CO – On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Boulder County will celebrate an important milestone as the City of Boulder and the Town of Superior are officially recognized as Bird Cities. This designation will be announced at annual World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) events in both communities. 

Boulder will host its celebration at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM (MST), with early guided bird walks beginning at 7:30 AM. Superior will celebrate at Purple Park, starting at 9:00 AM.

The event highlights the incredible journeys of migratory birds and promotes the importance of conservation, community collaboration, and education. A key moment this year will be the official recognition of Boulder and Superior as Bird Cities by the Bird City Network. During a ceremony at Walden Ponds, Mayor Aaron Brockett will accept Boulder’s designation, celebrating the city’s dedication to creating bird-friendly spaces.

This recognition is the result of decades of effort by numerous organizations, individuals, and community initiatives. Groups like Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Superior’s Open Space Advisory Committee, Cool Boulder, Boulder Audubon, Wild Ones Front Range, and Environment for the Americas have been instrumental in achieving this honor.

Following the devastating wildfire of December 2021 that burned through Superior, the town has worked hard to recover – and has done much to improve migratory bird habitat in the burned urban ecosystem: replacing turf grass and replanting with native shrubs and trees, leaving some of the dead trees as homes for wildlife, constructing floating islands for waterfowl in a local lake, hosting volunteer weed pull events, and collaborating with private and non-profit organizations to restore habitat for native bees. The Bird City designation not only celebrates what Boulder County has accomplished but also identifies opportunities to do more. As Kristien Johnson of Boulder Climate Resilient Landscapes notes: 

“In a time filled with bad news and division, this is something positive, actionable, and unifying. It reminds us of the 3 billion North American birds lost in our lifetime and gives us a platform to make a difference.” 

This year’s theme, “Shared Spaces: Building Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” focuses on practical ways to create safer environments for migratory birds. The 2025 campaign provides actionable strategies for governments, businesses, and individuals, including: 

• Sustainable Urban Planning: Adding green spaces, native plants, and water features to urban areas to support birds’ nesting, feeding, and resting needs. 
• Collision Prevention: Designing bird-friendly buildings and retrofitting existing structures with UV-reflective glass or window films to reduce bird strikes. 
• Reducing Pollution: Addressing light pollution, limiting pesticide use, and managing invasive species like domestic cats that threaten bird populations. 
• Protecting Key Sites: Conserving critical habitats essential for migratory birds’ survival. 

Attendees at the Walden Ponds event can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including: 

• A live bird-of-prey showcase 
• Guided bird walks in both English and Spanish 
• Bird identification games 
• Hands-on educational activities for all ages 

Educational stations will be set up along the trails at Walden Ponds, hosted by organizations such as Front Range Birding & Optics, CU Museum of Natural History, Nature’s Educators, Boulder Audubon Society, and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Visitors can connect with nature through bird-watching scopes, interactive displays, and conservation activities designed to inspire action. 

Event Details:

City of Boulder
Celebrate migratory birds and Boulder’s new Bird City designation with Environment for the Americas at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat (3893 N 75th St, Boulder, CO) on May 17, 2025.

Town of Superior
Superior’s first World Migratory Bird Day event will be held at Purple Park on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (MST), hosted by Superior’s Open Space Advisory Committee.

About World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD): 

World Migratory Bird Day is a global initiative led by Environment for the Americas (EFTA), a Boulder-based non-profit that has supported bird conservation since 1993. WMBD unites conservationists, educators, and communities to protect the incredible migrations of birds in the face of environmental challenges. 

For more information, visit www.migratorybirdday.org and follow Environment for the Americas on social media. 

Media Contact:
Environment for the Americas
Email: info@environmentamericas.org
Websites: www.environmentamericas.org | www.migratorybirdday.org

World Migratory Bird Day 2025 is supported by Environment for the Americas and Front Range Birding & Optics.