Birds Georgia announced the official launch of Bird City Georgia, a new statewide initiative designed to help communities become healthier for both birds and people. With this launch, Georgia becomes the 16th member of the Bird City Network, joining more than 200 communities across four countries working to create bird-friendly environments.
Bird City Georgia is a collaborative effort led by a steering committee with representatives from Birds Georgia, Georgia Native Plant Society, and the Georgia Ornithological Society. Together, partners will guide cities, towns, counties, and campuses across Georgia in taking meaningful steps to protect native bird populations while enhancing quality of life for residents.
To become a certified Bird City, a community must meet at least 12 requirements from the program’s comprehensive Action List. Examples include controlling invasive species on public lands, promoting native plants, and creating or preserving wildlife corridors and green spaces.
Benefits to Certified Bird Cities
Birds are essential indicators of ecosystem health. Actions taken to protect birds also support pollinators, improve air and water quality, and reduce harmful chemical use. What’s good for birds is good for people, too – these steps can help create more vibrant and livable communities. Birds also help support economic development. Becoming certified as a Bird City can promote local tourism and local businesses.
Communities will also receive a variety of direct benefits from the Bird City Program including:
- Signage to announce that you are a Bird City Community
- Support services including access to technical expertise, programs, funding opportunities, and access to experts in different areas of bird conservation
- A webpage through the Bird City Georgia Website which promotes your achievements, participating team members, events, tourism, and other outreach strategies
- Becoming part of an interconnected, growing network of Bird City Communities in Georgia
Get Involved
Bird City Georgia welcomes applications from cities, towns, counties, and campuses. Interested communities are encouraged to read the action list, assemble a group of local stakeholders, and begin the application process.
For more information and to learn how your community can apply, visit: https://birdcity.org/georgia
