Application Process Is Now Under Way

If you have looked at this page in recent months, you have seen us say that Bird City Wisconsin is a work in progress.

Some parts of our web site have been marked "Under Construction." A few still are, but the Bird City Wisconsin organization itself has made much progress. That's due to the enthusiastic reaction and support we have received from individuals, organizations and municipal officials.

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 177 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.

Bird City's recognition year runs from April 1 to March 31. Applications for initial certification and recertification must be submitted by Nov. 1, accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $50 in a check made payable to Bird City Wisconsin. Communities will be notified if they have qualified no later than Feb. 1.

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, 24"x 30" 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 prominent announcement on the BirdCityWisconsin.org web site;

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