1247 Community Events Nature Canada certifies four cities and three towns under its Bird Friendly City program Nature Canada is thrilled to announce the country’s newest Certified Bird Friendly Cities and Towns for the 2023 Fall season! The City of Richmond Hill, ON, has become the 24th municipality in Canada to earn this designation. At the same time, the Towns of Devon, AB, Selwyn, ON, and Hudson, QC, were announced as the newest additions to Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly Town Certification standard. The first three cities Certified as Bird Friendly in 2021, Toronto, ON, Calgary, AB, and London, ON, have successfully renewed their Certification status. The City of London remains the country’s only High Level Bird Friendly City (over 80% of points awarded). Followed by the City of Calgary, which is awarded Intermediate Certification Level (65% of points awarded), and the City of Toronto, Entry Certification Level (50% of points awarded). The City of Toronto was previously awarded High Level Certification in 2021; however, our updated Certification Standards require Intermediate and High Level Certified Cities and Towns to have a no-roam cat bylaw to prevent the drastic declines cat predation poses on birds. This brings the total number of Bird Friendly municipalities in Canada to 24. All applications will be made public on our Certified Cities Mapper. All Certified cities and towns have collaborated with Nature Canada, local community organizations and amazing volunteers to make their communities a safe haven for wild birds. Nature Canada and our partners have developed the Bird Friendly City and Town Certification Program to encourage Canadian municipalities of all sizes to become safer places for our feathered friends. The ultimate goal of the program is to reverse the decline in bird populations across Canada and help make our towns and cities places for biodiversity to thrive. Birds play an essential role in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems in our communities and across the globe. However – their populations are still declining at alarming rates due to human activities such as climate change, pesticide use and habitat loss. As urban boundary expansion continues, municipalities must act quickly to ensure that North America’s bird populations are protected and supported for years 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-friendly building design legislation 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 certified, volunteer Bird Teams are created and residents are actively engaged in protecting, monitoring and celebrating their local bird populations. “It is with pride that the Devon Town Council adds the protection of birds, and their habitat to the list of Devon environmental commitments such as our Green Strategy, Integrated Pest Management Plan, Urban Forest Management Plan, and Tree City of the World Status," said Mayor Craddock. "As a Certified Bird Friendly Town, Devon celebrates the years of work by community members, organizations, stakeholders, and public servants that will be acknowledged with this certification. Thank you to all the volunteers in the Devon Bird Friendly team, whose hard work and determination have helped Devon achieve Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City status.” Learn more at https://naturecanada.ca/defend-nature/how-you-help-us-take-action/bfc/. Share Print