Press release shared by Bird Town Pennsylvania, 4/17/2024
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP) has partnered with Bird Town Pennsylvania to make our ‘Burgh (even more) Bird Friendly. Bird Town is a state-wide grassroots program that works in partnership with local municipalities and organizations to promote community-based conservation actions that create a healthier and more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife, and people.
For over 12 years, Bird Town has modeled best practices for supporting the natural world—everything from planting native flowers and trees to restoring habitat and reducing pesticide use. Bird Town’s work is inclusive and nurturing not just for wildlife—but also for those who participate in its community science, planting, birding, and sustainability initiatives.
“Bird Town shines a spotlight on the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting bird populations. Working together, we can restore and enhance habitat, reduce threats, and make a positive impact on birds and wildlife,” according to Heidi Shiver, president of Bird Town Pennsylvania.
Now that Bird Town has migrated into western Pennsylvania, ASWP will work to connect local municipalities and residents to the program—and support them once they join. The first Bird Town was established in Upper Moreland Township in Montgomery County. Today, there are 50 Bird Towns in nine Pennsylvania counties that have encouraged participation through speaker events, pop-up native plant gardens, plant sales and swaps, and installation of pollinator gardens.
Key to growing Bird Town’s impact is collaboration with local municipalities, adds ASWP executive director Jim Bonner. “We’re excited to work alongside our environmentally-conscious communities as they pass resolutions and ordinances supporting issues such as native plantings for new construction and the elimination of invasive plants. It’s especially gratifying to launch this partnership so close to Earth Day.”
Bonner recently presented the Bird Town program to a municipal summit and was encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response. Within a week, the borough of Millvale in Allegheny County passed a resolution to become a Bird Town—the first participant in the ASWP-led Bird Town program.
To learn more about the process of becoming a Bird Town, please call ASWP at (412) 963-6100. Visit Bird Town Pennsylvania’s website at birdtownpa.org.
About Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP) is an environmental education and conservation engagement organization founded in 1916. ASWP maintains four public facilities – Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel, Allegheny County, Succop Nature Park in Butler, Butler County, and Todd Nature Reserve and Buffalo Creek Nature Park in Sarver, Butler County. ASWP conducts programs for all ages, advocates on behalf of birds and nature, and conducts conservation programs throughout western Pennsylvania. The mission of Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is to connect the people of southwestern Pennsylvania to birds and nature through our programs, projects, and places.
About Bird Town Pennsylvania
Bird Town Pennsylvania works in partnership with local municipalities and like-minded organizations to promote community-based conservation actions to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife, and people.
