Bird Friendly Camrose
Camrose is proud to support efforts that help birds thrive in our community. This page provides information about what it means to be a Bird Friendly City and simple actions residents can take to protect local bird populations and their habitats.
What is a Bird Friendly City?
According to Nature Canada, a Bird Friendly City mitigates key threats to birds, restores nature so birds can thrive, has residents who are actively engaged in monitoring local bird populations, helps create municipal policies to protect urban birds, and has a team to oversee and lead these initiatives.
Importance of Birds
Birds have many important features that contribute to our ecosystem, culture, and economy. Birds are a vital part of our ecosystem as they pollinate plants and distribute seeds, control pest populations, and reduce carrion. They lessen the need for pesticides and ensure there is less overpopulation of species like mice and mosquitoes. Another benefit they provide is disease prevention and nutrient recycling to stabilize the environment. Not only are they good for the planet but they also hold cultural significance, through our shared history and opportunities to view these magnificent creatures.
Ways Residents can Make a Difference
A few ways residents can make a difference are to:
- Turn off lights at night. Many birds migrate and travel at night, using the stars as their guide. Reduce the threat of window collision and save energy by turning of lights that are not in use.
- Keep domestic cats indoors. Cats are one of the greatest threats to bird populations so you can help by building catios and providing enrichment activities for them to remain content indoors.
- Planting native plants and trees. This action restores birds’ habitats and allows them to thrive in their environment by providing them with shelter as well as food sources. Avoiding the use of pesticides also helps protect their food sources.
- Cover your window with bird friendly adhesives and stickers. This prevents birds from flying into windows and saves many lives. Even simply drawing on your window with a washable marker can make all the difference.