RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill has been recognized for its efforts to support and protect birds with a Bird Friendly City certification from Nature Canada.

Birds play an essential role in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems. However, in the last 50 years, North American bird populations have declined by 25 per cent (3 billion birds) largely due to human activities.

The Bird Friendly City designation celebrates cities that take action to reduce threats to birds, protect and restore their habitat, and engage the community in education and awareness.

Richmond Hill is home to more than 115 bird species and is committed to building a community where birds and other wildlife can thrive. Efforts to protect birds and the places they live, nest and eat include, but are not limited to:

• planting, protecting and restoring native trees and woodlands on public property;
• regulating the planting, maintenance and removal of trees on private property through the tree preservation by-law;
• planting and maintaining pollinator gardens;
• reducing threats from domestic cats through animal control by-laws; and
• encouraging bird safe design and reduced light pollution in new developments through the Sustainability Metrics Program.

The City has also established a Bird Team made up of community volunteers to help raise awareness about threats to birds and how residents can play a role in protecting them.

For more information and to learn what residents can do to help, visit RichmondHill.ca/Birds.

Quotes

“We are proud of our efforts to be a safe haven for our feathered friends. I want to thank Nature Canada for the recognition and support. The Bird Friendly Cities initiative not only has tangible benefits for birds and the environment, but will help to raise citizen awareness, so we can work together to build a community where humans and wildlife can live in harmony.  ” – Mayor David West

"On behalf of Nature Canada, we are ecstatic for the City of Richmond Hill in becoming the country's 21st municipality to become Bird Friendly City Certified. This announcement demonstrates the commitment Richmond Hill, volunteers and community organizations are taking to ensure that bird populations and biodiversity continues to thrive within the city. Birds are important for measuring environmental conditions and help our ecosystems thrive in a variety of ways from pollination to pest control, as well as culture and recreation." - Autumn Jordan, Nature Canada

About Nature Canada and the Bird Friendly City Program

Nature Canada is one of the oldest national nature conservation charities in Canada. For 80 years, they have helped protect more than 110 million acres of parks and wildlife areas, as well as countless species across the country. The Bird Friendly City Certification Program was developed to recognize and encourage Canadian municipalities of all sizes to become safer places for birds and help to curb the decline in populations.