Application Process Is Ongoing
How to tell if your community is a candidate to become a Bird City:

Recipients of Bird City Wisconsin recognition will receive two street signs that can be displayed at entrances to the community. (They also may purchase additional signs.)

  • Is your community already a Tree City USA? Then you understand the process and conservation principles.
  • Look at Bird City's qualifying criteria.  If you see a number of requirements that your community already meets and  think you might qualify in the early phase, see our online application, which includes the necessary instructions:
  •  If you like the Bird City idea but think your community has some work to do and want help implementing "bird-friendly" strategies, contact us and we will put together a team to work with you to get ready to apply.

In browsing our site, you will see that our plan is a simple one: Bird City Wisconsin is patterned after the nationally recognized Tree City USA. Currently, Wisconsin boasts 180 Tree Cities, ranking the state third in the nation. Bird City Wisconsin will certify urban/suburban/rural communities that apply and successfully meet criteria for education, habitat management, species management, and limiting or removing hazards to birds.

Through meeting these criteria, a community will take actions that benefit birds while earning an array of awards: highway signs, a flag, and a plaque. Criteria for Becoming a Bird City.

We believe that citizens who have an opportunity to live in or already are living in a Bird City will take pride in this fact and not only urge their governmental officials to participate in the Bird City program but also will take individual actions to benefit our birds.

The application process is now open. It's time for municipal officials, as well as conservation-minded groups and individuals, to take stock of the situation and to do what it takes to make their community the next Bird City Wisconsin.

Note: Bird City's recognition year runs from April 1 to March 31. Applications are now being accepted through March 1 for certification beginning April 1, 2013 and running through March 31, 2014.  Applications will not be processed without the requested documentation and attachments. Also, please enclose a nonrefundable application fee of $100 in a check made payable to Milwaukee Audubon Society/Bird City Wisconsin.

When a community is initially certified as a Bird City Wisconsin, the following items will be provided free of charge to publicly celebrate that recognition:

  • Two, 22"x 25" street signs with the Bird City Wisconsin emblem;

  • A 3' x 5' all-weather Bird City flag that can be flown at a prominent civic location;

  • A recognition plaque suitable for display at the municipal center;

  • A special page on the BirdCityWisconsin.org web site devoted to the community's bird conservation achievements;

  • An electronic Bird City Wisconsin logo/emblem that can be used on appropriate municipal web sites and printed materials, as well as the web sites of partner organizations and local businesses; and

  • Press releases to appropriate media.

  Online Basic BCW Applications: Word | PDF
  Online Renewal Applications: Word | PDF
 Bird City Wisconsin - 1111 E. Brown Deer Road - Bayside, WI 53217 - Phone (414) 416-3272 - Email Us