Barrie earns Nature Canada’s “Bird Friendly City” designation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Unceded Algonquin Territory – Ottawa, ON, 16 June, 2022 – Nature Canada is proud to announce Canada’s next certified Bird Friendly City, Barrie, ON. Barrie becomes the 15th municipality in Canada to earn the designation.
The City of Barrie has worked in collaboration with Nature Canada’s partners including Nature Barrie, along with many other community members to make their community a safe haven for wild birds.
“Barrie by virtue of its location on the sheltered shores of Kempenfelt Bay, is an important destination for migratory birds that stop off in our City to feed and rest. Efforts we collectively take to protect our bird populations and their habitats are critically important to reducing negative impacts we are seeing to many bird species. The City of Barrie is pleased to support the efforts of Nature Barrie, and the Barrie Bird Friendly Team in achieving certification as a Bird Friendly City.” Barry Ward, Deputy Mayor, City of Barrie
The city has implemented bird friendly policies and actions to help birds thrive in Barrie. These actions include:
- Establishing a “no-roam” by-law for cats to reduce the impact of cat predation on wild bird populations;
- Educational campaigns for residents that raise awareness of threats to birds and information on how to mitigate these threats;
- Providing opportunity for residents to get involved in community science projects for bird conservation
The Bird Friendly City designation has been developed by Nature Canada to encourage Canadian cities and municipalities to become safer and better places for birds.
Birds play an essential role in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems in our communities and on our planet. But there are three billion fewer birds in North America today than 50 years ago. Much of these losses 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. Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City program encourages communities to take action to:
- reduce the number of human-related threats to birds such as roaming cats, the use of pesticides, and glass treatment on buildings with large windows,
- create safe environments for birds by promoting stewardship and ensuring that natural habitats are protected and restored,
- engage and educate citizens about the benefits of Bird Friendly Cities and celebrating birds in our communities.
In each municipality seeking to become Bird Friendly certified, Bird Teams are created and residents are actively engaged in protecting, monitoring and celebrating their local bird populations.
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. As part of the Bird Friendly City program, Bird Teams are encouraged to host World Migratory Bird Day events to celebrate welcoming migratory birds back into our neighborhoods each spring!
Quotes:
“As a nature lover, I appreciate the steps taken by Nature Canada to engage environmental stewards across our municipalities to collaborate on meaningful ways to act in the defence of bird populations and the protection of their habitats. There are a range of ways we can all discover, restore and defend our precious birds. Our Bird Friendly Team is already hosting educational activities across our unique City landscapes to residents and visitors of all ages. I am so grateful that our community has strong and active resident champions in Nature Barrie who are leading the way in establishing Barrie as a certified Bird Friendly City.” Ann-Marie Kungl, City of Barrie Ward 3 Councillor “Birds are part of my life and Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City program demonstrated to me the need to be involved to help the Barrie Community become more aware of the importance of birds for our health and well-being. By learning the threats that affect birds’ lives, we can all take action to protect birds and be part of the solution. This will help Barrie to be recognized as a certified Bird Friendly City.” – Phyllis Tremblay, Bird Team Co-chair, City and Nature Canada Liaison
Additional Resources:
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For more information contact:
Scott Mullenix
613-562-3447 ext. 230
media@naturecanada.ca
