 As a Bird City, Galveston has made efforts to protect coastal areas for Least Terns, as well as residential and wetland areas for resident and migrating birds (photo by Paul Konrad).
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Last week we reported on the launch of the Bird City Network by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Environment for the Americas (EFTA), although there are already more than 200 communities in 3 countries that are working to become healthier for birds and people, with the promise of more cities and nations joining the new Bird City Network. What does it take to become a Bird City? The existing communities will act as excellent mentors as new cities join this important and growing network of bird conservation-oriented communities, villages, and cities across the Western Hemisphere.
To answer the question, What does it take to become a Bird City?, Kristen Vale recently shared her experience in helping Galveston, Texas become a Bird City. Kristen is the ABC’s Texas Coast Program Director, and shared insights about how people in Galveston have improved their community and coastal areas for birds – residents, migrants, and wintering birds.
In 2018, Kristen was asked to join a task force of conservation-oriented people in Galveston, Texas to help encourage birding tourism in the community. They eventually learned about a new initiative called Bird City Texas, a program that certifies Bird City communities in the state. By February 2021, Galveston was pronounced a Bird City, a designation that not only raised Galveston's profile as a birding destination, but also helped facilitate ongoing conservation efforts to protect the community’s birds including Piping Plovers and Least Terns. Bird City programs in Galveston show that the work to protect and enhance areas for birds can begin in our own backyards, and expand into our neighborhoods, parks, and beaches.
To celebrate the launch of the new Bird City Network, which helps to pool resources and information from Bird City communities like Galveston, Kristen Vale was asked about the benefits of being a Bird City and how other communities can apply. To read Kristen’s interview, and to learn much more about the process and goals of a Bird City, see Q&A: What Does it Take to Become a Bird City? - American Bird Conservancy (abcbirds.org)
And to learn more about the Bird City Network and its live launch tomorrow, June 22 at 4pm EDT, see Bird City Network Launches to Expand Bird Conservation Across the Americas - American Bird Conservancy (abcbirds.org)