To achieve annual certification as a "Bird City," communities need to demonstrate in a written application that they have met at least seven of 22 criteria, including three from Category 1 and one from each of the other four categories:

Highlights of Elm Grove's' Bird Conservation Efforts

Elm Grove's recognition as a Bird City Community has a somewhat unique element in that much of the recognition effort was spearheaded by a young resident who was pursuing his own recognition: as an Eagle Scout.  Boy Scout Ian Lefond, working in cooperation with village forester Ron Hill, undertook many elements of the Bird City requirements as part of his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. Much of the following is drawn from his project workbook:

The Bird City Wisconsin program is similar to the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program in that they both promote the increase of natural land and animals in an urban or suburban environment. The point of Bird City Wisconsin is to improve backyard habitat, manage woodlands, limit hazards to birds, and educate people about birds and the environment. The Wisconsin Bird City organization has a list of criteria in order to become designated. My Eagle Scout project will promote community participation and education in the requirements for a Bird City Wisconsin.

Elm Grove already meets of number of requirements by its geography and ordinances; however, one requirement not yet covered is the community celebration of International Migratory Bird Day and the public education needed.  In this Eagle Scout project, I will plan, organize and host a Migratory Bird Day Celebration, with the assistance of my fellow scouts, on the 7^th of May, 2011. The celebration will include several activities celebrating migratory birds and also assist in education the public on birds and their land habitat.

The following events will take place at this Migratory Bird Day Celebration.

• Education about eliminating/minimizing threats to birds. This would include teaching about the dangers of cats outdoors, and birds strikes and their prevention. This will be provided by discussing at the celebration, providing handouts and links to websites.
• How to build birdhouses; a variety of different birdhouses will be constructed by scouts to use as a demonstration tool at the celebration.
• Scouts will lead groups through the park on bird walks looking for birds and showing where to properly place birdhouses, built by the scouts and set up in advance. An avid birder will accompany the scouts on the bird walks to help give useful and interesting information on the birds seen and to keep a record of birds seen as a formal bird count.
• Other demonstrators or stands provided by other conservancy or bird organizations, possibly including

• Wild Birds Unlimited
• Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
• Milwaukee County Zoo
• Wildlife in Need

• Information of the types and identifying features, such as sound and color, of birds found here during migration.
• Correct types of food for birds.

To support the section of the celebration based around the type, construction, and placement of birdhouses, a number of birdhouses will be built, including 1 of the following:

• Wood Duck House

• American Kestrel

• Phoebe

• Robin

• Wren

• Northern Flicker

• Bluebird House

All birdhouses will be donated to the village park after the Migratory Bird Day.  Hard copies of the information that is available will be placed the Elm Grove Library, and provided to Elm Grove for posting on the Village Web site. A list of links will also be provided to Elm Grove for posting the web site.

Elm Grove has since celebrated IMDB day on May 12, 2012. The event featured the unveiling of a bird feeding station design contest with the winner being announced in January of 2013.  The feeding station is set to be constructed on the Village grounds in the spring of 2013.  Ultimately, the proceeds from the IMBD are to fund a webcam overlooking the feeding station that will be available to the residents via the Elm Grove webpage.  http://elmgrovewi.org/

Through the above webpage residents have access to numerous links involving birds and information on invasive plant species.  Highlights include tips on backyard habitat, birdscaping the yard, and invasive plant identification.

Elm Grove has also recently participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count in February, 2012 in which 13 species were detected.  Among those included in the count were Red-tailed Hawks, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Downy Woodpeckers.