Unceded Algonquin Territory — Ottawa, ON | May 5, 2026 — Since 2020, Nature Canada and more than 85 volunteer-led Bird Teams from coast to coast to coast have been working together to advance local, science-based, bird conservation initiatives through our Bird Friendly City certification program. Today, we are thrilled to announce five more municipalities have joined this growing list – Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC; Ottawa, ON; Caledon, ON; Woodstock, ON and Belleville, ON are now certified Bird Friendly Cities! Each certification demonstrates a commitment to reducing key threats to birds, protecting their habitat and educating residents on steps they can take to protect birds in their daily lives. 

With the addition of today’s announcements, a total of 41 municipalities have been awarded Bird Friendly City certifications, representing nearly one third of Canada’s national metropolitan population. 

“One beautiful reason why this program works is the contagious nature of certification. We see so many clusters of cities and towns across Canada now, but it always starts with one. We see that with the latest round of certifications. Ottawa was influenced by Gatineau. Woodstock by Kitchener and London.  Caledon by Halton Hills and Belleville by Kingston.  Call it peer pressure, or snowball effect, it is real and shows how and why this program is so impactful in saving bird lives.” – Ted Cheskey, Naturalist Director, Nature Canada

“Birds are magnificent creatures that are part of our daily lives and whose presence enriches our environment. Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City certification is an inspiring initiative, and I applaud the commitment of the cities, municipalities, and citizens whoare taking concrete steps to protect birds.”– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature

“Congratulations to Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Ottawa, Caledon, Woodstock, and Belleville, which are joining a growing network of municipalities committed to protecting birds across the country. With 41 municipalities now certified as Bird Friendly Cities by Nature Canada, this collective momentum is a testament to the power of exceptional collaboration. We are proud to support initiatives like this one, which make a real contribution to protecting biodiversity and nature.”
– The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)

Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC is home to rich avian biodiversity including Chimney Swifts, Peregrine Falcons, Great Horned Owls and 80 more bird species due to the support of their expansive natural spaces and their 985-hectare Migratory Bird Sanctuary.  With the support of QuebecOiseaux, their Environment and Sustainability Committee, City Staff and local bird experts, Mont-Saint-Hilaire has successfully been awarded the highest level Bird Friendly City certification! Learn more about their initiatives on the City’s website here. 

« Depuis de nombreuses années, la Ville de Mont-Saint-Hilaire est profondément engagée pour la protection oiseaux… ce n’est d’ailleurs pas anodin que notre emblème soit le faucon pèlerin, que l’on peut observer sur les parois rocheuses du mont Saint-Hilaire! L’obtention du niveau « Élevé » de cette certification est donc une grande source de fierté pour nous, car elle témoigne de la pertinence et de l’efficacité de nos actions. Nous sommes d’autant plus fiers que cette réussite découle d’une collaboration exceptionnelle entre l’administration municipale, les citoyens et citoyennes membres du Comité consultatif en environnement et développement durable et des organisations du milieu. Grâce à leur expertise et à leur passion, nous avons pu monter un dossier de candidature à la hauteur de notre engagement. » Marc-André Guertin, maire de Mont-Saint-Hilaire

Photo: Jean Lapalme

Ottawa, ON has been awarded the Intermediate Level Bird Friendly City Certification after years of advocacy and stewardship work by Bird Friendly Ottawa members and partners such as Ecology Ottawa, the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club, Safe Wings Ottawa, Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library and more. Their dedication to the cause paid off this winter when The City of Ottawa’s Environment and Climate Change Committee passed a motion of support to submit an application to Nature Canada, recognizing the tremendous contributions carried out within the National Capital Region. Deborah Doherty, co-chair of Bird Friendly Ottawa states: “A Bird Friendly City is a People Friendly City.  Birds enrich our lives in our  yards and parks, rural woodlands and meadows. Each spring and fall they migrate over the Ottawa River watershed to Canada’s boreal forests and beyond.  Thank you, Ottawa, for working together to protect birds and the environment.” 

Members of Bird Friendly Ottawa with The City of Ottawa Environment and Climate Change Committee, April 2026.

“Ottawa is proud to be recognized as a certified Bird Friendly City. This designation reflects the strong work already underway across our community to protect biodiversity, support climate resilience, and foster meaningful partnerships with residents and organizations. Thank you to Nature Canada, Bird Friendly Ottawa, and their partners for their leadership and commitment.”

• Councillor Shawn Menard, Chair, Environment and Climate Change Committee, City of Ottawa 

“This recognition reflects years of work by Bird Friendly Ottawa and its partners. I was pleased to move the motion at Committee in support of this effort. I also want to acknowledge Bay Councillor Theresa Kavanagh for her early collaboration in supporting community organizations and advancing this initiative. Bird Friendly City certification is a meaningful acknowledgment of the work already underway to protect biodiversity and strengthen environmental stewardship in Ottawa.” – Councillor Rawlson King, Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward, City of Ottawa

Outside of their advocacy and stewardship work, Bird Friendly Ottawa hosts many community events across the city such as World Migratory Bird Day, the Great Backyard Bird Count, World Snow Day and so much more! Learn more about Bird Friendly Ottawa by visiting their social media pages or reading their application on our Bird Friendly City Mapper. 

“Ottawa’s natural spaces are a large part of what makes Ottawa such a great city. Supporting our bird population is one way we continue to care for those spaces and ensure they remain healthy for future generations. This recognition reflects years of dedicated work by residents, community groups, and environmental leaders across Ottawa. It is a credit to the people who have taken action to protect local ecosystems and strengthen awareness of the importance of urban biodiversity.” -Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, City of Ottawa

Members of Bird Friendly Ottawa with The City of Ottawa Mayor, Mark Sutcliffe.

Caledon, ON is situated within a variety of small towns, villages and communities which are all rich in history and natural beauty. With the dedicated efforts of the Caledon Bird Team members, the Town has achieved the Entry Level Bird Friendly City certification.  “Becoming a certified Bird Friendly City is a proud milestone for Caledon and reflects our shared commitment to protecting the natural environment that defines our community. This designation recognizes the important role that thoughtful planning, infrastructure, and daily operations play in supporting biodiversity. We are working to ensure growth is balanced with environmental stewardship for generations to come.” states  Domenica D’Amico, Commissioner of Engineering, Public Works and Transportation at the Town of Caledon.

With their abundance of trail networks, outdoor education opportunities and bird-safe policies such as permitting cats from roaming at large and reducing light pollution, both birds and community members can appreciate the many biodiverse regions Caledon has to offer. “This designation is the result of collaboration across departments and partnership with community members who care deeply about protecting birds and their habitats. By working together and learning from one another, we’re building awareness of bird conservation actions and habitat improvement efforts that make a real difference in Caledon. Looking towards the future, we will continue building on this momentum and make our community even more bird friendly.” says Jodi Elchyshyn, Caledon Bird Team Chair with the Town of Caledon. Nature Canada couldn’t agree more! 

For more information about Bird Friendly Caledon’s efforts please visit, caledon.ca/birdfriendly. 

Caledon Bird Team (left to right): Sabrina Zito-Insalaco, Gary Hall, Yves Scholten, Jodi Elchyshyn, Ann McRuvie, Laura Gibson, Rob Ridley Not pictured: Alessandra McIntosh, Kat Lucas, Andrew Ramesbottom, Eva Bruni.

Woodstock, ON is located on the banks of the Heritage Thames River, providing the area with important wetlands and varied shoreline ecosystems, which contribute to resting and feeding areas for migratory birds. The City is dedicated to providing green spaces, urban pollinator gardens, wooded areas and wetlands which help to support their local bird populations as well as providing pleasant spaces for residents and vacationers alike. Woodstocks’ numerous recreational hiking trails allow the general public to observe birds in their natural habitat, contributing to people’s appreciation for them as the first step to take action to protect them. 

The Woodstock Environmental Advisory Committee, Woodstock Field Naturalists, Woodstock Staff and Council representatives alongside community members, researchers and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority have banded together to help save bird lives and make their city a better place for all. Through their efforts they have obtained Entry level Bird Friendly Certification. Sharron Skevington, Woodstock Field Naturalist Executive notes “We are proud to say that our own City of Woodstock is now one of more than 30 municipalities which have been certified as Bird Friendly Cities, committed to reducing key threats to local bird populations such as window collisions, cat predation and habitat loss.”  

“We’re excited to share that our Friendly City has now also been recognized as a Bird Friendly community through Nature Canada. This designation reflects the city and the Environmental Advisory Committee’s (WEAC) ongoing dedication to safeguarding and protecting bird habitats, supporting conservation initiatives, and fostering a community that values the beauty of the birds that enrich our environment. Together, we continue to champion a vibrant, sustainable future for all that call Woodstock home.” –  Mayor Jerry Acchione, City of Woodstock Mayor. 

“Since Woodstock is the Friendly City, I congratulate the entire committee, who have submitted the application to Nature Canada for Woodstock to be declared Bird Friendly. Bird watchers, nature photographers, and many others brought their expertise and dedication to this group. Other cities in the area have similar recognition in this official certification process like London, Guelph and Stratford. Many studies note the dwindling number of many species of birds in Ontario, and our community is joining a group of environmentally conscientious communities by thinking more about birds and their habitat, and also recognizing their importance to the eco system.” – Councillor Mark Schadenberg, City of Woodstock

Pictured Left to Right: Elizabeth Spedaliere, Annette Taylor, Elise Gabrielli, Councillor Mark Schadenberg, Mayor Jerry Acchione, Carlos Gregorio, Sharron Skevington, Richard Skevington, Prof. Dinath Ratnayake (not all members pictured).

Belleville, ON is located along the Eastern end of Lake Ontario where many bird species can be seen such as the Northern Flicker, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Northern Rough-winged swallow. Since 2021, the City of Belleville has committed to parkland expansion, sustainability and expanding community-led stewardship initiatives such as their Community Trees Seedling Giveaway and community gardens. Belleville is just one of multiple communities within the Bay of Quinte Region. The Bay of Quinte Bird Team is working together alongside community partners such as Wild Birds Unlimited Belleville, Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre, Quinte Field Naturalists, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory and Quinte Conservation in  their efforts to bring their Bird Friendly efforts to the entire region. You can read more about Belleville’s work to become an Entry level Bird Friendly City through our online mapping tool. 

“We are so proud and excited to achieve our first Bird Friendly City certification for the City of Belleville, the largest community in our region. Our residents have such a deep love and appreciation for the many birds we see across the Bay of Quinte and its diverse ecosystems. This certification will help us create new engagement opportunities to empower our communities to learn about and conserve our feathered neighbours and their habitats, while also highlighting the amazing work that is already happening around us. With Belleville on board, our Bay of Quinte Bird Team is in flight, with a vision of achieving certification for each of the communities around the Quinte area, one step at a time.” – Stacey Kerr, Chair, Bird Friendly Bay of Quinte

Bird Friendly Bay of Quinte during a local Bird Walk and Roll. Image Credit: Bird Friendly Bay of Quinte.

As urban boundaries expand, putting bird habitats at risk, local governments must act now to safeguard North America’s bird populations for generations to come.. Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City and Town Certification Program encourages community leaders and municipal decision-makers to take action together to:

• Reduce the number of human-related threats to birds, such as free-roaming cats, pesticide-use and bird-glass collisions;

• Promote stewardship and nature-based climate solutions to maintain healthy and resilient natural habitats for birds;

• Engage and educate citizens about the benefits of bird friendly practices through community events, participatory science and World Migratory Bird Day celebrations

In each municipality seeking to become Bird Friendly City certified, volunteer Bird Teams are created to engage residents in protecting, monitoring, and celebrating their local bird populations.

For more information on each local Bird Team, please visit:

• Ville de Mont-Saint-Hilaire 
• Bird Friendly Ottawa
• Bird Friendly Caledon 
• Bird Friendly Woodstock 
• Bird Friendly Bay of Quinte (Belleville)

Nature Canada is pleased to acknowledge the support of Environment and Climate Change Canada for the Bird Friendly City program and World Migratory Bird Day.

Nature Canada is Canada’s voice for nature. For 85 years, Nature Canada has helped protect nearly 144 million acres of parks and wildlife areas in Canada and countless species. Today, Nature Canada represents a network of over 250,000 members and supporters and more than 1,200 nature organizations.

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For more information about Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City Certification, contact:

Autumn Jordan, Senior Organizer – Bird Friendly City 

613-562-3447 ext. 238

ajordan@naturecanada.ca