Birds play an essential role in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems in our communities and on our planet. But there are three billion fewer wild birds in North America today than 50 years ago. This is a 25 per cent drop. Strathcona County wants to help reverse this alarming trend.
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A safe place for birds
Let’s face it: our homes and roads take up space that used to be wild bird habitats. But we can help protect and support wild bird population by reducing risks to birds that come to our communities. In Strathcona County, we are taking these actions:
- Becoming bird friendly certified
On May 14, Strathcona County became the 12th municipality in the country to earn Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City designation. The certification is a badge of honour that celebrates the contributions municipalities make to save bird lives. Learn more about the certification program.
- Celebrating migratory birds
May 14 has officially been proclaimed as World Migratory Bird Day. This annual campaign marks a day to celebrate these birds, learn about the risks they face and how the community can help save them.
The theme of World Migratory Bird 2022 is: “Dim the Lights for Birds at Night”. It addresses the impacts of light pollution on migratory birds.
- Creating a cat shelter pilot project
In urban centres, cats can be a big risk for wild birds. The cat shelter pilot project will work with the community to find ways to keep cats and birds safe.
- Promoting dark night-time skies
Excessive artificial light can disorient birds during migration and pose other harms. Our Light efficient community policy and practices help to reduce light pollution – one less threat to migratory birds!
You can help too!
There are so many individual actions that we can all take to make our lives more bird and biodiversity friendly.
Start by taking time to discover and celebrate the birds that make Strathcona County their home too! Whether it is only for part of the year, or year-round, there are many feathered friends around.
- Go bird watching
Knowing is caring. We invite you to go outside and see which feathered friends you can spot, and share your observations with us on iNaturalist!
Don’t have a binocular? You can borrow a bird watching kit. The kit includes quick bird watching guides and even bird bingo!
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Prevent birds from flying into your glass windows
Did you know that collisions with buildings kill and injure large amounts of birds every year? Learn DIY simple things you can do to mitigate bird collision risk with buildings -
Cats and bird
Learn strategies to keep both cats and birds in our community safe
Resources
Our partners
More information:
Environmental Planning
Phone: 780-464-8047
Email: environmentalplanning@strathcona.ca
