They join a growing network of communities across the country, including Halifax, Nova Scotia, and King Township, Ontario, who are making cities safer for our feathered friends by successfully renewing and improving upon their original applications.

Why It Matters

Every spring and fall, migratory birds journey across Canada, passing through cities and towns that can be dangerous pit stops. Urban threats like collisions with glass, artificial lights, air pollution, and even free‑roaming cats pose real risks alongside the impacts of habitat loss and climate change. By creating safer built environments, municipalities and Bird Friendly Teams  help not only birds, but the entire ecosystems we all rely on.

How Camrose, AB and Saint-Laurent, QC Took Action

These two municipalities earned national Bird Friendly Certification by putting the following strategies into place:

• Upgrading building design policy to reduce window collision risks
• Minimizing nighttime lighting during key migratory periods through Dark Sky Lightning Bylaws
• Engaging the community in bird conservation through education and awareness
• Planting native vegetation in parks and streetscapes

These targeted actions earned both municipalities national recognition and formal certification, joining an exclusive club of municipalities and volunteers committed to shared skies and spaces to save bird lives.

Check out Camrose, AB’s Application here!
Read Saint-Laurent, QC’s Application here!

Credit: Ville de Montréal – Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent

A Growing Movement Across Canada

Other certified cities and towns are also stepping up their efforts:

• Halifax, NS: Strengthened its lighting blackout policies and design guidelines
• King Township, ON: Expanded and restored local bird habitat  and public engagement

Check out Halifax NS, renewal application to learn more!
Read all about King Township ON renewal application here!

These communities and volunteer advocates continue raising the bar for conservation efforts with their new bird-safe initiatives.

Credit: Bird Friendly Halifax, Nature NS. Participants of Halifax Bird Week with Councilor Cuttel, District 11, Spryfield.

What You Can Do

You don’t need to be a city planner to help birds thrive. Here are some easy steps anyone can take:

1. Prevent fatal bird collisions by treating your windows at home.
2. Help migratory birds stay on course by switching lights off at night.
3. Provide food, water shelter and nesting spots for birds by planting native species and offering a bird bath.
4. Protect birds from predators by keeping your cats indoors, in a catio or on leashes.
5. Switch to Bird Friendly © Certified Coffee to protect birds and their habitats!
6. Spread the word by sharing our resources with your friends and family!
7. See if your municipality is Bird Friendly already by checking out our map! If not, reach out to us and your local government to get started!

About Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City Certification

Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City Certification program, now in its fourth year, aims to build a national network of communities dedicated to protecting bird species and biodiversity from coast to coast to coast. Nature Canada works closely with cities, towns, villages, conservation groups, and community leaders to ensure a brighter future for Canada’s birds and beyond.

With your support, and the support of our funders, Nature Canada is able to protect birds and other wildlife species across the country. Thank you!