Bird Friendly Edmonton









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The Bird Friendly City designation has been developed by Nature Canada to encourage Canadian cities and municipalities to become safer and better places for birds. 
Birds play an essential role in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems in our communities and on our planet. But there are three billion fewer birds in North America today than 50 years ago. Much of these losses are caused by human activities. As urban expansion continues, cities must act quickly to ensure that North America’s bird populations are protected and supported. Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City (BFC) program encourages communities to take action to:
  • reduce the number of human-related threats to birds such as roaming cats, the use of pesticides, and glass treatment on buildings with large windows,
  • create safe environments for birds by promoting climate resiliency and ensuring that natural habitats are protected and restored,
  • engage and educate citizens about the benefits of Bird Friendly Cities and celebrating birds in our communities.
Nature Canada announced in May 2022 that Edmonton has become the 8th city in Canada to receive Bird Friendly City Certification.
Press Release
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, proclaims MAY 13, 2023 “WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY” IN EDMONTON,
Certificate
Edmonton has strong policies and practices in Habitat Protection, Restoration, and Climate Resiliency (entry level), and, both from the City itself and many organizations, high points in Community Outreach (intermediate level). We have challenges in Threat Reduction but are still overall at entry level.

The BFC program identifies areas of concern and goals for future work.
The city has implemented bird friendly policies and actions to help birds thrive in Edmonton. These actions include: 
  • Protecting natural habitat to conserve, restore, grow and connect natural spaces to support biodiversity;
  • A strong commitment to climate change mitigation and adaptation;
  • Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day;
  • Providing opportunities for residents, including youth, to learn about and appreciate wild birds around the city.
This national recognition is a result of months of work to document what has been done in the Edmonton Area.
The following are the members of the Bird Friendly Team who have contributed to our application in many ways:
 
Edmonton Nature Club
Nature Alberta
Edmonton and Area Land Trust
Beaverhill Bird Observatory
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition (ervcc.com)
with help from:
Wild North
Wild Bird General Store
Wildbirds Unlimited
and with cooperation from the City of Edmonton. 
Brian Stephens, President
Edmonton Nature Club
The Edmonton Nature Club (ENC) is a volunteer organization which encourages and provides opportunities for members and the public to come explore, learn about and enjoy the natural world. The club also sponsors the Edmonton Christmas Bird Count.

​Contact the Edmonton Nature Club: Contact Us
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Bird Friendly Edmonton acknowledges the traditional land on which we reside, in Treaty Six Territory. We would like to thank the diverse Indigenous Peoples whose ancestors’ footsteps have marked this territory for centuries, such as nêhiyaw Nay-he-ow, (Cree), Dené, Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Nakota Isga (Nakota Sioux), and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) peoples. We also acknowledge this as the Métis’ homeland and the home of one of the largest communities of Inuit south of the 60th parallel. It is a welcoming place for all peoples who come from around the world to share Edmonton as a home. Together, we call upon all our collective, honoured traditions and spirits to work in building a great city for today and future generations.
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