HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-061-06/21/2022-SUPPORTING THE CELEBRATION OF WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY AND THE CITY'S APPLICATION TO BE CERTIFIED AS RESOLUTION 2022-061
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING THE CELEBRATION OF WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
AND THE CITY'S APPLICATION TO BE CERTIFIED AS A
BIRD CITY TO HELP BIRD SPECIES RECOVER
WHEREAS,birds are an essential part of natural ecosystems:pollinating plants,dispersing
seeds, and keeping populations of insects, rodents and other small animals in check, mitigating
damage to crops and ornamental plants without the use of pesticides; and
WHEREAS, migratory songbirds are celebrated as symbolic harbingers of spring; and
WHEREAS,according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,over 40 million people in the
United States participate in birdwatching as a form of outdoor recreation that is inexpensive,
appropriate for all ages, and provides a connection to and appreciation of the natural world; and
WHEREAS,recent studies show that migratory bird populations are declining globally due
to loss and degradation of natural habitats and increasing threats along their migration routes, with
bird populations declining by nearly 3 billion in the last fifty years in North America alone; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has identified "Help Bird Species Recover" as a priority;
and
WHEREAS, the Fort Collins community supports natural habitat conservation and
restoration and has invested in creating and maintaining habitat through the City's Open Space
Yes dedicated sales tax for acquisition and conservation of open lands by the City's Natural Areas
Department, as well as the City's network of parks, and the Nature in the City program; and
WHEREAS, community members who are enthusiastic about birds, informed about the
threats faced, and knowledgeable on ways to help, can directly contribute to the City Council's
priority to help bird species recover; and
WHEREAS, the City's Natural Areas Department has been collaborating with the Bird
Conservancy of the Rockies, the Northern Colorado Wildlife Center and Fort Collins Audubon
Society("Community Partners")on applying to Environment for the Americas to have Fort Collins
certified as a"Bird City"; and
WHEREAS, Environment for the Americas is a Boulder-based nonprofit whose mission is
to connect diverse people to birds and nature and inspire the next generation of conservationists
by connecting diverse people to nature and to the protection of birds and their habitats; and
WHEREAS,Lafayette,Colorado became the first official"Bird City"in Colorado in 2019;
and
WHEREAS, becoming a designated Bird City demonstrates a commitment to conserve
native bird species and their habitats; and
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WHEREAS, to be certified as a Bird City, a community must complete a written
application consisting of 64 questions/criteria,at least eight of which the applicant must show have
been achieved, across six categories: Habitat Creation, Protection and Monitoring, Community
Forest or Grassland Management, Limiting or Removing Threats to Birds, Public Education and
Inclusion, Climate, Energy, and Sustainability, and World Migratory Bird Day; and
WHEREAS, the Bird City application process requires that the City Council has adopted
a resolution to recognize World Migratory Bird Day ("WMBD"); and
WHEREAS, WMBD is an annual campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of
migratory birds and their habitats,raising global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds,
their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them; and
WHEREAS, every year people around the world organize public events such as bird
festivals,education programs,exhibitions and bird-watching excursions to celebrate WMBD; and
WHEREAS, while WMBD is officially held each year on the second Saturday in May, its
observance is not limited to a single day,and planners are encouraged to schedule activities on the
dates best suited to the presence of both migrant birds and celebrants; and
WHEREAS, the theme for the WMBD 2022 campaign is light pollution, as artificial light
is increasing globally at least 2% per year, and is known to adversely affect many bird species,
posing an especially significant threat to migratory birds; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 the City Council adopted Resolution 2016-074 expressing the
Council's intent and general policy considerations regarding night sky objectives, and the City is
already working to preserve dark skies through best practices in outdoor lighting, model lighting
codes, and night-sky monitoring; and
WHEREAS, the Natural Areas Department recognized WMBD on May 14, 2022, with
various birding activities in collaboration with the Community Partners and Fort Collins Utilities;
and
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on May 11, 2022, the Land Conservation and
Stewardship Board voted to support City Council in approving a resolution and related actions to
help bird species recover by supporting the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day and applying
to be certified as a Bird City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to support World Migratory Bird Day and the
application to designate Fort Collins as a Bird City.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
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Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That the City Council recognizes and supports the celebration of World
Migratory Bird Day in 2022 and each year in the future, and encourages all City residents to
support efforts to protect and conserve migratory birds and their habitats in our community and
the rest of the world.
Section 3. That the City Council strongly supports night sky protection for both
wildlife and people.
Section 4. That the City Council supports the Fort Collins community's application to
be designated as a Bird City and authorizes the Interim City Manager or their designee to sign such
application on behalf of the City.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21 st
day of June, A.D. 2022. Z2\1
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ATTEST:
City Clerk